Hilary Rosen apologizes to Ann Romney for "poorly chosen" words

Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is introduced by his wife Ann during a campaign stop Saturday, March 17, 2012 in Collinsville, Ill. Romney wrapped up a shortened campaign trip to Puerto Rico on Saturday in favor of spending more time in Illinois, where polls have shown him slightly ahead of chief rival Rick Santorum.

/ AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

Updated: 5:43 p.m. ET

Democratic strategist Hilary Rosen apologized to Ann Romney Thursday, after finding herself in the middle of a firestorm for what she called "poorly chosen" words about Ann Romney as Rosen sought to hit her husband Mitt for his record on women.

"I apologize to Ann Romney and anyone else who was offended," Rosen said in a statement. "As a pundit, I know my words on CNN last night were poorly chosen."

Rosen was on the receiving end of criticism from Democrats and Republicans alike Thursday, after suggesting in a Wednesday night interview with CNN that Mitt Romney was unqualified to speak about the kinds of economic issues facing women in America because his knowledge of women's issues came from his wife, who had not struggled financially the way many women do because she had never "worked a day in her life."

In a contentious follow-up interview on CNN Thursday afternoon, Rosen continued to argue that she was not trying start a debate "between working moms and stay-at-home moms," and that her comments were being misunderstood. 

"I've fought my whole life for women... to have the choices that Ann Romney talked about," Rosen said. "What I meant was that Mitt Romney is using his wife as an economic surrogate. He himself said it. And I just thought that that was off-base."

When asked by host Wolff Blitzer if she had a message for Ann Romney, Rosen said she would like to "applaud" Romney's decision to be a stay-at-home mom. But she did not immediately reiterate her apology until prompted by Blitzer. 

"I apologize. Working moms, stay at home moms, they're both extremely hard jobs," Rosen said. "I'm sorry if that offended you."

Rosen suggested that the backlash over her comments was evidence that "we are all sort of falling victim to this amazing crashing political machine in this campaign, to move away from the real issues, which as I see it - and saw it last night and still see it - is, does Mitt Romney really understand the struggles of women economically?"

Ann Romney hit back against Rosen's initial comments Wednesday night and Thursday, defending her choice and arguing that she has struggled plenty, even if not financially.

"My career choice was to be a mother," she said Thursday in an interview on Fox News. "We need to respect choices that women make."

Rosen initially released her written apology after prominent Democrats, including First Lady Michelle Obama and Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz, referenced the incident on Twitter.

"Every mother works hard, and every woman deserves to be respected," read a Tweet posted on Michelle Obama's Twitter account, which was signed "mo" to signify that she had written it herself. 

The president, too, defended Romney when asked about the flap in an interview with ABC affiliate KCRG in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

"There's no tougher job than being a mom," Mr. Obama said. "Anybody who would argue otherwise, I think, probably needs to rethink their statement."

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney also weighed in, noting in his daily press briefing that "we can all agree -- Democrats and Republicans -- that raising children is an extremely difficult job and that is true for all mothers as well as fathers."

Barbara Bush, calling into Fox News, praised Ann Romney for having raised five boys, which she affirmed was "a handful." 

"Ann did choose to stay home with her children and that's a lot of volunteer work," Bush said. "I don't think people are very understanding of the fact that she has M.S., works very hard for them, she's had breast cancer, and that she works very hard for at-risk youth."

Earlier in the day, Rosen sought steer the conversation toward Mitt Romney's record with policies for working women.

"This is not about Ann Romney. This is about the waitress in a diner in some place in Nevada who has two kids whose day care funding is being cut off because of the Romney/Ryan budget and she doesn't know what to do," she said in an interview on CNN before issuing the apology. "Does Mitt Romney have a vision for bringing women up economically and can he himself stop referring to his wife as his economic surrogate? That's an important thing. He's the one that keeps doing this. Not me."

On Fox, Ann Romney rebuffed that idea, emphasizing not only her husband's commitment her own choices, but also to surrounding himself with women advisers.

"He listens to a lot of different women," she said. "I will tell you that Mitt said to me more times than you would imagine, Ann, your job is more important than mine."

[myabc123]

This "war on women" jazz is possibly the biggest smokescreen ever!

Can we please get these candidates to talk about real issues?
Mr Romney, What do you plan to do about the tidal wave of outsourcing and destruction of the middle class?
Corporations like Verizon are getting tax refunds as they outsource American jobs. kill employee pensions and healthcare plans. The 2 top executives pulled down 50 million $$ between them last year. How can you possibly tell us that you are the guy to stop this when you claim that the corporations are overregulated already?

[sandy 1027]

I think that Hilary Rosen's real point that got obscured by all of the " drama" over her terrible choice of words that were perceived by many( some intentionally, for political purposes)as an attack on Ann Romney, and stay-at-home mothers,does a disservice to the larger issue.Romney's policies hurt the average woman; and if Ann, who I'm sure did an admirable job in raising her children, is his main consultant on the issues that confront the average woman that's trying to provide for her family; then he probably won't get a real picture of their concerns.

[brad100100100]

Under President Obama the number of unemployed women has increased by 858,000. Much higher than men. Under President Obama unemployment among women hit a record," said Lummis. "The unemployment rate among women has increased from 7 percent in January 2009, when President Obama took office, to 8.1 percent in March of 2012. And labor force participation among women is at its lowest point in nearly 20 years."

Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2012/04/12/republican-women-pile-on-tie-rosen-to-white-house/#ixzz1s3ifp7ti

[gerryrigger]

Let's not forget that Ann wasn't your typical stay-at-home Mom. She probably had a coterie of employs to maintain the Romney household and their several estates. Kinda like Downton Abbey.

[taramea]

actualy stay at home moms face the same or more financial hardships then working moms, expecialy in a marriage. when both partners work there is more income coming in to the home.
When one of the parents stay home the couple has to figure out how they are going to buget with only one income. I have done it all 3 ways, married working, married stay at home, and single mom. I greatly repect all forms and feel there are chalenges any way but that we can and should help each other and never critize about anothers choice.

[RandyToast]

Romney is a draft dodger, for God's sake. By serving as a missionary for the Mormon Church during the Vietnam War, Romney made sure he would not be drafted from the years 1966 until 1969 (when the war ended, and putting self-interest and a whacky religion ahead of public service). This exemption from service still stands today for Mormons. Romney could have been an Army Missionary, but went as far from danger as he could, to France and ate Freedom Fries while our boys in uniform lost their lives defending their country. Romney believes that war is necessary...for other people to fight. Most draftees in the Vietnam days were from lower-middle class neighborhoods, and enlistees to this day are mostly from the poor of America. As Romney said in 2012, "I'm not worried about the poor." Of course not! He isn't one! He must have been thinking : "Praise the Lord, and let the poor pass the hand grenades for me! And give more some of those Freedom Fries, Pierre." And he recently endorsed his sons for NOT joining the military! Enough said. He's a conservative? Sure, and my dog speaks Arabic. Woof salaam woof!

[brad100100100]

Under President Obama the number of unemployed women has increased by 858,000. Much higher than men. Under President Obama unemployment among women hit a record," said Lummis. "The unemployment rate among women has increased from 7 percent in January 2009, when President Obama took office, to 8.1 percent in March of 2012. And labor force participation among women is at its lowest point in nearly 20 years."

Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2012/04/12/republican-women-pile-on-tie-rosen-to-white-house/#ixzz1s3ifp7ti

[RandyToast]

Romney is a draft dodger, for God's sake. By serving as a missionary for the Mormon Church during the Vietnam War, Romney made sure he would not be drafted from the years 1966 until 1969 (when the war ended, and putting self-interest and a whacky religion ahead of public service). This exemption from service still stands today for Mormons. Romney could have been an Army Missionary, but went as far from danger as he could, to France and ate Freedom Fries while our boys in uniform lost their lives defending their country. Romney believes that war is necessary...for other people to fight. Most draftees in the Vietnam days were from lower-middle class neighborhoods, and enlistees to this day are mostly from the poor of America. As Romney said in 2012, "I'm not worried about the poor." Of course not! He isn't one! He must have been thinking : "Praise the Lord, and let the poor pass the hand grenades for me! And give more some of those Freedom Fries, Pierre." And he recently endorsed his sons for NOT joining the military! Enough said. He's a conservative? Sure, and my dog speaks Arabic. Woof salaam woof!

[RandyToast]

Romney is a draft dodger, for God's sake. By serving as a missionary for the Mormon Church during the Vietnam War, Romney made sure he would not be drafted from the years 1966 until 1969 (when the war ended, and putting self-interest and a whacky religion ahead of public service). This exemption from service still stands today for Mormons. Romney could have been an Army Missionary, but went as far from danger as he could, to France and ate Freedom Fries while our boys in uniform lost their lives defending their country. Romney believes that war is necessary...for other people to fight. Most draftees in the Vietnam days were from lower-middle class neighborhoods, and enlistees to this day are mostly from the poor of America. As Romney said in 2012, "I'm not worried about the poor." Of course not! He isn't one! He must have been thinking : "Praise the Lord, and let the poor pass the hand grenades for me! And give more some of those Freedom Fries, Pierre." And he recently endorsed his sons for NOT joining the military! Enough said. He's a conservative? Sure, and my dog speaks Arabic. Woof salaam woof!

[RandyToast]

Romney is a draft dodger, for God's sake. By serving as a missionary for the Mormon Church during the Vietnam War, Romney made sure he would not be drafted from the years 1966 until 1969 (when the war ended, and putting self-interest and a whacky religion ahead of public service). This exemption from service still stands today for Mormons. Romney could have been an Army Missionary, but went as far from danger as he could, to France and ate Freedom Fries while our boys in uniform lost their lives defending their country. Romney believes that war is necessary...for other people to fight. Most draftees in the Vietnam days were from lower-middle class neighborhoods, and enlistees to this day are mostly from the poor of America. As Romney said in 2012, "I'm not worried about the poor." Of course not! He isn't one! He must have been thinking : "Praise the Lord, and let the poor pass the hand grenades for me! And give more some of those Freedom Fries, Pierre." And he recently endorsed his sons for NOT joining the military! Enough said. He's a conservative? Sure, and my dog speaks Arabic. Woof salaam woof!

[RandyToast]

Romney is a draft dodger, for God's sake. By serving as a missionary for the Mormon Church during the Vietnam War, Romney made sure he would not be drafted from the years 1966 until 1969 (when the war ended, and putting self-interest and a whacky religion ahead of public service). This exemption from service still stands today for Mormons. Romney could have been an Army Missionary, but went as far from danger as he could, to France and ate Freedom Fries while our boys in uniform lost their lives defending their country. Romney believes that war is necessary...for other people to fight. Most draftees in the Vietnam days were from lower-middle class neighborhoods, and enlistees to this day are mostly from the poor of America. As Romney said in 2012, "I'm not worried about the poor." Of course not! He isn't one! He must have been thinking : "Praise the Lord, and let the poor pass the hand grenades for me! And give more some of those Freedom Fries, Pierre." And he recently endorsed his sons for NOT joining the military! Enough said. He's a conservative? Sure, and my dog speaks Arabic. Woof salaam woof!

[RandyToast]

Worse, here's a juicy racist quote from their famous second "Prophet", Brigham Young (they named a University after him). Remember, Romney believes all this. Brigham Young.: "You see some classes of the human family that are black, uncouth, uncomely, disagreeable and low in their habits, wild, and seemingly deprived of nearly all the blessings of the intelligence that is generally bestowed upon mankind...and the Lord put a mark upon him, which is the flat nose and black skin. In our first settlement in Missouri...we knew that (blacks) were to be the servant of servants, so long as the Lord would permit them to welter under the curse (of Cain). If the white man mixes his blood with the seed of Cain, the penalty, under the law of God, is death on the spot. This will always be so." The Mormon's "Prophet" is their version of a Pope. Anything that the Prophet says is considered the Word of God. Remember, Romney believes all of this as Gospel.