Rosen Cancels 'Meet the Press' Appearance, Says She 'Deeply' Apologizes
By NewsCore
WASHINGTON -- Democratic strategist Hilary Rosen said Friday that she has backed out of a scheduled appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press" this weekend, adding that she "deeply" apologizes for her controversial comment that Mitt Romney's wife "never worked a day in her life."
Rosen's change in tone over her remark about Ann Romney came after President Barack Obama and the first lady both criticized her comment.
"I deeply apologize again to work-in-home moms, Mrs Romney & the POTUS. Not going on #MTP this weekend," Rosen wrote on Twitter, referring to her planned "Meet the Press" interview. "I'm going to be a mom who stays home."
"Meet the Press" had heavily
promoted its interview with Rosen, who was expected to discuss the controversy over her remarks, which became a major unwanted distraction for Obama's re-election campaign and the Democratic Party.
During an appearance on CNN Wednesday, Rosen had questioned whether Romney should take advice on women's economic issues from his wife, saying Ann Romney had "never worked a day in her life."
Members of Obama's re-election campaign rushed to distance themselves from the Democratic strategist after her comment, which she initially defended.
Ann Romney, a mother of five and grandmother of 16, hit back in television interviews and on Twitter, saying on FOX News Channel, "We have to respect women in all those choices that they make."
In a statement provided to Politico, Rosen explained her decision to back out of the "Meet the Press" appearance, saying, "I have said enough and ... I don't have anything more to say."
"I apologized to Mrs. Romney and work-in-home moms for mistakenly giving the impression that I do not think their work is valuable," she added. "Of course it is. I will instead spend the weekend trying to explain to my kids the value of admitting a mistake and moving on."
Mitt Romney alluded to the controversy during an address to the National Rifle Association Friday, inviting his wife up to the podium and calling her his "hero."
"I happen to believe that all moms are working moms," Mitt Romney told the NRA.
Ann Romney did not directly address Rosen's comment but told the audience she did not think women are a "special interest group."
"There is only one part of that phrase that's correct: Women are special," she said.
"Women are talking about the economy and jobs and about the legacy of debt that we are going to leave our children," she said. "We are mad about it and we are going to do something about it in November with your help."
