Hilary Rosen Cancels Sunday TV Appearance as Obama Camp Distances Itself
Democratic strategist Hilary Rosen, who quickly drew criticism after saying Ann Romney "never worked a day in her life," sent word to NBC on Friday saying that she had had enough of the controversy and was canceling her Sunday appearance on "Meet the Press."
"I have said enough and while I have unfortunately made the Producer's job tougher today, I don't have anything more to say … I will instead spend the weekend trying to explain to my kids the value of admitting a mistake and moving on," Rosen said in a released statement.
The fallout from Rosen's comments against presidential candidate Mitt Romney's wife has caused the White House and leading Democrats to distance themselves as they attempt to keep the women's vote intact.
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Congressman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (Fla.) chairs the Democratic National Committee and was one of the first to put Rosen and her comments at arm's length. Wasserman-Schultz was also quick to point out that Rosen, who advises campaigns, does not work with the DNC.
"Hilary Rosen does not now nor has she ever worked during my tenure for the DNC and does not work for the campaign, does not have a contract with either campaign or the committee," Wasserman-Schultz said on MSNBC.
The Obama campaign's David Axelrod appeared on CNN in an attempt to keep Rosen's comments away from the president. "We have an obligation in politics and public life when someone, even friends say things that are inappropriate to say so," he said, adding that she has never formally worked for the Obama campaign.
Rosen, who has a contract with CNN, was scheduled to appear on this Sunday's "Meet the Press" with Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.). However, she sent a message via Twitter Friday morning saying she was cancelling her appearance.
"I deeply apologize again to work-in-home moms, Mrs. Romney & the POTUS. Not going on #MTP this weekend. I'm going to be a mom who stays home."
Mrs. Romney, in her Twitter debut, got the first tweet in after Rosen's initial comments. "I made a choice to stay home and raise five boys. Believe me, it was hard work," wrote Romney.
President and Mrs. Obama were also quick to come to the aid of stay-at-home moms after Rosen's earlier remarks and said that candidates' families should be off-limits in the presidential campaign.
Concerned Women for American CEO Penny Nance has two children at home and has experience working as both a stay-at-home and a working mom.
"Rosen is wrong on so many levels," Nance said in a written statement. "Stay-at-home moms hold the purse strings for the family. Statistically, they are better qualified to give economic advice than Obama's economic advisors."
