(CNN) – Responding to a downpour of criticism over comments she made about Ann Romney, top Democratic strategist Hilary Rosen said Thursday she was not taking the heat too personally-even that coming from within her own party.
"I've clearly been on the other side where I've jumped on peoples' misstatements, so I'm not claiming victim here," Rosen said on CNN's "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer."
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She continued: "When people go for their respective corners, I understand it. It's not personal."
Rosen, also a CNN contributor, sparked outrage among Republicans and Democrats alike when she said Wednesday night that Ann Romney, a former stay-at-home mom, had "never worked a day in her life."
Clarifying her point, Rosen apologized Thursday and said she meant Ann Romney was not the best example for her husband to use on the campaign trail as a woman who understands the struggles of working class moms.
While Republicans had quickly seized on her original remarks, top Democrats–including first lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz–also railed against her remarks.
Asked about the flurry of attacks from her own party, Rosen said she was "comfortable" with the resulting firestorm and understood their concerns.
"People who know me know that I didn't intend that. But my words were not very good, you know, if they want to play politics with it, that's fine," she said.
Rosen added she's had supportive calls from friends, but wasted no time commenting on the lighting fast pace of an election season.
"The modern-day campaign and the swiftness of the charges and the counter charges and the intensity of it is enormously frightening for campaign professionals and for consultants and for candidates alike," she said. "This is going to be an ugly campaign season and if this ends up being the start to it, so be it."
Apologizing again, Rosen said she saw no need to meet with Ann Romney face-to-face to discuss the issue.
"I hope Ms. Romney knows that I didn't mean it personally," she said. "I was trying to talk about economic issues."
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Ann Romney did not deserve an apology for the truth. Sometimes the truth hurts...why are DEMs so weak...American understands what was said and I agree stay at home money has nothing to do with this...don't allow them to change the story
There is, in anyway, a comparison between the Multimillionaire Romney Family and millions of families trying to make a living. Yes, a mother; raising a family or having to work: are a challenge and difficult career. But, are separate when one has millions at their finger tips and the other can not even put food on the table! Therefore, Hilary Rosen, (even with the odd way of phrasing it), makes a very valid point. Mrs Romney has 1,000 times more in one day, than millions of stay at home mothers and working mothers. And, if some people found her comment offensive, should really get their heads out of their butts! As a working mother, who had to depend only on myself to clean, cook, pay taxes, health care, etc., numerous cost; my family had more month than money! Ms Rosen, terminology was not perfect but RIGHT ON!
All these top politicians and wealthy people like Mitt and especially Obama,are just jumping on Rosen for telling the truth regarding Ann Romney NEVER WORK A DAY IN HER LIFE regardless of she has cancer or maids/nannies that once their husbands are top in politicis and wealth, they will just throw their own aides/strategists under the buses!!!
Turn up the spin cycle all you want its time to De-elect Obama 2012
Like Michelle really works? She lives on our tax dollar. She has no idea what it is like to hold a job, she has a house full of servants that caterer to their every whim.
No surprise that most of these comments seems to be defending Rosen and her grossly inappropriate comments. Just what we've come to expect from the tolerant left these days...
There goes the Ann Romney woman's redemption train leaving the Romney camp on track 1. Now what do you do Mitt to get back into the good graces of the ladies? Even with all the faux outrage Ms Rosen has just marginalized the positives of Ann Romney, BRILLIANT Ms Rosen, well done.
No apology Hillary....
Woman in California, well-said. Blitzer was such a t what during this interview. . .
You go Hillary!
It's politics?!?! Yep, it's the politics of Hilary Rosen, a lesbian activist, well-to-do lobbyist, DC Democrat insider who has no use for women who marry men and wish to stay home to raise their children. Yep, it is all politics and I can't wait to vote against the politics of Hilary Rosen and Baracka Obama.
Rosen got the courage to hit hard on the financial situation that make a lot of difference when you have the opportunity to stay home rising kids with nannies, butler, driver etc,,etc,,etc,,
"People who know me know that I didn't intend that. But my words were not very good, you know, if they want to play politics with it, that's fine," she said.
Of course, she wasn’t playing “politics” when she said what she said, right?
"Apologizing again, Rosen said she saw no need to meet with Ann Romney face-to-face to discuss the issue."
Nor do I. Then again, I didn't see the controversy to begin with. Ann is comfortable being who she is and I applaud her for that. Doesn't mean I will ever relate to her on a personal or social – economic level, and for that I make no apologies.
Hilary Rosen should be fired for her comments. She is an insult to all women and everyone in both the Republican and Democratic parties. I would love to see her try to keep pace with my wife who has been both a stay at home mom and worker in the so called work force.
It seems an open season to attack Ann Romney and all stay at home mothers all over USA; then it is open season to go after Michelle Obama. Half-hearted apology from Hillary Rosen, not acceptable.
Wealth of Romney family came later in life, not when Ann Romney was pregnant with their children raising their kids at the same going to college, Mitt was also in college. Ask any college couple raising kids what life was/is like.
Sarah Palin was a working Mom, she was criticised by Democrats and liberals, telling her to stay at home, take care of her family.
Ann Romney CHOOSE to stay at home, raised her 5 boys, she was criticised for it by a Democrat strategist. Ann Romney and others stay at home mothers understands MORE about economics than ALL economic experts combined. They knew a penny rise in a loaf of bread affects their monthly budget. For anyone to claim stay at home mothers shouldn't talk about the economy, is totally out of line.
Obama and other democrats can say what they want condemning Hillary Rosen, the damage has been done. The backlash against Obama and the Democrat Party would be tremendous, not only coming from stay at home mothers, but also children of stay at home mothers who are now adults and registered voters.
I find it amusingly very liberal those that think women should go out and get a good job so they can pay a stranger to raise their children. Yes yes that is a very liberal and progressive idea. After all who wants to waste their time nurturing and caring for their children when they can be doing the nine to five grind instead?
Wow. Just because a woman stays home to raise children does not mean they don't have a clue. How insulting this woman is. Give me a break.
This is getting too far-fetched. I watched the discussion, and, in no way did Hilary Rosen meant the way it is being interpreted. Get off Hilary's back. If you really analyze what Hilary meant, Ann Romney never had a JOB and, as such, it is difficult to experience what a person with a JOB goes through. Too much time is wasted on this topic! Move on! Get real! My mother had more than double the kids Ann Romney has, and she worked outside the home! Stop criticizing Hilary Rosen!
Wow, some jealous, ignorant and bitter comments about Ann Romney.
Am amazed how many respondents seem to know so much about Ann Romney and what she's done or not done.
Hilary Rosen worked for the music industry- now she is a feminist? She should worry about the lyrics in the filthy rap songs that degrade women. What a phony who will do anything for money.. ok so now she is a feminist...
This nasty woman can apologize till doomsday, the fact remains that she personally attacked a candidate's spouse. Is it possible for Democrats to go any lower? Have they no sense of decency, no shame? And this nasty women has been in the White House 36 times in 3 years - that's once a month! Look up the guest logs. Meanwhile, Democrats consider women, alongside black Americans, as part of the PLANTATION! They are NEVER allowed to stray, never have their own opinions, never vary from the lockstep party line. It's pathetic, really, that Democrats claim there is a "war on women" Tell that to the victims of Ted Kennedy, John Edwards and Bill Clinton. Democrat women are, I'm sorry to say this, just plain ignorant!
Rosen is truly a loser. Why would you open your mouth about something she knows nothing about. She's never had. Husband but has a child she's trying to raise alone. Ann had 5 boys and a successful husband to keep track of. To those who think he is TOO rich, it's people like him who employ others , those who are not doing the wall street protest and are therefore not looking for a job and are using MY tax money and costing the other taxpayers.
I don't see what the problem is with her statement, i am a women who has been both a stay at home mom and a working mother.... sorry to say to all the stay at home moms out there but you have no clue to the real stuggles of a working mother, i had the same arguement... stay at home mom is a grueling, unappreciated job with no pay. now that i'm a working mother i have more to worry about rather than less, you have no idea what it feels like to worry if the amount of work and the cash you make is enough to pay off all your bills...dont take it personal but i would take the yelling and screaming over the money issues any day.
What she meant was that stay at home moms are not qualified to have an opinion on the economy. That's what most of the feminazis think.
When Wolf Blitzer has to browbeat this woman to apologize, her mea culpas are not sincere. She is out of control. The President said four years ago that family memories are off limits.
Apparently, his minions do not agree.