Consultant criticized after saying Ann Romney ‘never worked a day in her life’
WASHINGTON (AP) – A Democrat’s swipe at Ann Romney is sparking bipartisan objections.
Consultant Hilary Rosen is suggesting the wife of wealthy presidential candidate Mitt shouldn’t be talking about women and the economy. Rosen said on CNN late Wednesday that Ann Romney “never worked a day in her life.”
Romney fired back on Twitter that she chose to stay home and raise five boys. “Believe me, it was hard work,” she tweeted.
Sensitive to women voters, President Barack Obama’s advisors defended Romney. But Rosen refused to back off.
The spat is part of the parties’ battle for support from women, the majority of voters and a group that leans heavily toward Democrats. Ann Romney has been outspoken on how the economy has affected this group during Obama’s presidency.
After Rosen’s statement, Romney joined Twitter to comment. She now has more than 12,500 followers.
Rosen responded on Twitter:
Obama campaign senior advisor David Axelrod weighed in on Twitter, commenting on Rosen’s original statement:
Other Obama advisors, including Jim Messina, Obama’s campaign manager, and Stephanie Cutter, Obama’s deputy campaign manager, also commented:
I found it interesting that Obama claims that his family “didn’t have the luxury for her not to work” – while earning a combined income of over $400,000 a year – yet, isn’t it really about priorities? I can’t help but wonder what is really important to the Obamas….
Obviously, by “her” I mean Michelle.
I was a stay-at-home mom of 5 for 18 years before I needed to work outside the home. Staying at home in many ways was harder. It’s like being on a treadmill with no off button – especially when the kids were younger. There were never any “sick days”, I could not close the door on my work and go home, and when we went on vacation my work followed me – and got harder, but I loved it. Ann Romney is correct that a woman’s choices should be respected and that stay at home moms work hard (and for free!).
Why does a woman need to work to know how bad the ecomony is and what a toll it has.
Let’s all try to view things in context and give people the benefit of the doubt. Just as Romney’s comments about “not caring about the poor” were about where his economic policies would be focused, Rosen’s comments were about the economic realities of working, single, and lower income women. I don’t think she really intended to disrespect stay-at-home mothers, who are working as hard as anyone.
You have to love this kinda of fight. A working women claiming that a stay-at-home mom doesn’t work, because she doesn’t earn a pay check, or that unless you do work for a paycheck you can’t comment on the economy. Really, that is what this talking head is saying, so she should just shut-up. What expertise does she have on being a stay-at-home mother, an economist, a politician, poor, etc. etc.
The women who stay home do so bravely. That means there is only one income coming in. They HAVE to budget and live with ecomony. Women who live on one income watch their money and feel the squeeze when the national economy sours. I am one of many women I am sure who pray every day that my husband does not lose his job since we are living off his income. The whole idea that being a stay at home mom is not “work” is ridiculous. I can empathize with those who are raising their children and working without the help of a spouse, but that leads to a different issue.
This is so stupid…obviously thats not what the woman meant! She meant Ann has never HAD to work OUTSIDE of the house, she CHOOSE to be a stay at home mom because she could. So she cannot represent ALL woman of America, especially the ones who DON’T have that option. People these days…SMH!!!!