All sides condemn comment on Romney's wife

Democratic strategist Hilary Rosen apologized to Ann Romney on Thursday after kicking up a firestorm over stay-at-home motherhood.

"As a mom I know that raising children is the hardest job there is. As a pundit, I know my words on CNN last night were poorly chosen," Rosen said. "I apologize to Ann Romney and anyone else who was offended. Let's declare peace in this phony war and go back to focus on the substance."

Democrats have engaged in a full-court press in pushing back against Rosen's comment on CNN Wednesday night that as a wealthy stay-at-home mom Ann Romney, wife of GOP front-runner Mitt Romney, "never worked a day in her life."

"There's no tougher job than being a mom," President Barack Obama told a Cedar Rapids television station. "Anybody who would argue otherwise, I think, probably needs to rethink their statement."

And Obama campaign manager Jim Messina tweeted, "I could not disagree with Hilary Rosen any more strongly. Her comments were wrong and family should be off limits. She should apologize."

First lady Michelle Obama added: "Every mother works hard, and every woman deserves to be respected."

On Fox News Channel Thursday morning, Ann Romney said that staying at home and working are equally valid choices.

"We have to respect women in all the choices they make," she said. "Raising children, it's for me the most important thing we can do . . . Mitt said to me more times than you can imagine, Ann, your job is more important than mine."

Her husband, a former Massachusetts governor, chimed in too, saying, "Her work raising our boys was tougher than any job I had." Mitt Romney has repeatedly said he goes to his wife for insight into women's concerns.

On CNN Wednesday night, Rosen questioned what advice Ann Romney could give. "She's never really dealt with the kinds of economic issues that a majority of the women in this country are facing," she told Anderson Cooper. Thursday, Rosen, clarified her own remarks in another appearance, saying her point was about economics, not cultural choices.