This is why I love reading your blogs...you state the obvious so clearly. I completely agree with you that Hilary Rosen owed no one an apology and I'm sorry she didn't go on Meet the Press to defend and clarify her remarks.

Someone said that one of the downsides for Mitt Romney if he wins the Presidency is that he will have to move into a smaller house.

I know for a fact that they have help there, so finally, Mrs. Romney will be able to relax and take a rest from all her duties as a "stay at home" Mom.

Like Hilary Rosen, I have apologized for nothing I did wrong. Bowing to pressure, wimping out on holding my own in the face of derision, and when sticking with my fact-based information felt harder, riskier than giving into fear of "being wrong" when I knew I wasn't. I can see how she wimped out though, like you and some commenters, wish she hadn't. It reminds me to stay the course unless not doing so would save a life, protect a vulnerable person from harm, or similar reason.

The only thing Hillary Rosen did wrong was to use a poor choice of words. If she had said "Ann Romney never had to worry about losing a paycheck in her life --" there would have been no story.

We all know what Hillary Rosen meant, but the fact that she is a Lesbian working mother added fuel to the fire.

I love the Jess Danzinger cartoon. If only the Democrats had shown the same humor about the situation it would have shown the Republicans up for what they were; a group ready to pounce on anything to change the subject from their lack of ideas.

Atta girl, Ronni. Thank you for making the obvious clear in a world which seems intent on making the obvious murky.

I'm trying to think back--have the Republicans ever apologized for ANYTHING?

Sorry, but more to the point, it's a non-issue and every broadcast minute and written word given over to it by EITHER party diverts our attention and takes away time that would be better spent on real problems and what's to be done to resolve them!!

The only people who didn't understand exactly what she meant are those running for office.

This already-endless campaign is already nauseating.

I am glad that motherhood and parenting are coming front and center in this campaign. I don't believe we can talk about them too much. Remember what Hillary Clinton said about how "It takes a village?" As a society we have defaulted on our obligations to children, because we would rather throw the entire obligation for the next generation onto parents and treat parenthood as some sort of consumer decision, which means we are under no obligation to the young, except perhaps for our own children and grandchildren. At the same time, we insist on our entitlements.
If younger people turn on elders, it may be understandable. Although, amazingly, they seem to forgive us, for the most part.
I hope we don't have a generational war break out and a zero sum game about who gets the resources.

Once again, Ronni...you hit it right smack on the head! From your sentence that "Ann Romney never had to work for a paycheck to pay the rent", and that is the key. No one that I know diminishes the hard work of motherhood. But combine that with trying to keep a job and pay the rent and buy the groceries.....
I too, wish Hilary had not apologized...though I'm not sure how sincere it was. She was not wrong, only the public pressure I believe.

The most frustrating part of this for me is the response from Obama's whole team, starting with David Axelrod down the line. Instead of underscoring the real message in Hillary Rosen's statement - the economic privelege that makes Ann Romney out of touch - Democrats rushed to distance themselves from her and issue instead their profuse support for all the moms out there. Once again, I can't believe how inept the Dems are these days at playing the political game.

I was angry with Rosen because she gave the Romney camp the excuse to trot out the tired old idea that employed women (read feminists) look down on stay-at-home moms and that only conservatives respect women who choose to stay at home.

I know that isn't what Rosen meant, but she should have known her words would be twisted in that way because it happens every time. The so-called "mommy wars" are, as far as I can tell, a pundit and media creation, not a real phenomenon, but they keep talking about it as if it were real.

I agree with Ronni, however, that Democrats spend a great deal too much time apologizing instead of defending their own principles, which is what Republicans do. Obama should have taken the opportunity to point out his record on women's issues vs. those of his opponents.

I am in total agreement with you, Ronni.

Was taken completely by surprise at the reactions to Ms. Rosen's statement. And, Like you, I don't really think that many people took the time to read her entire statement. Thanks for repeating it for us.

So do I! Hilary Rosen had nothing to apologize for. She spoke the truth, especially when you look at the entire context. All she needed to add to avoid the firestorm of criticism is that Ann Romney "has never worked OUTSIDE THE HOME a day in her life". That's what she meant, and that's what most thinking people realize she meant.

As several other writers have pointed out, Ann Romney had what I call a "genuine" choice. She had the economic means to be a stay-at-home mom, and that was her choice. She had every right to make that choice, and I'm sure she worked hard at being a good mother.

However, the point is that most working class mothers--and many middle class mothers these days--don't have the economic means to make a "genuine" choice. That is what Hilary Rosen was talking about--and what Mitt Romney et. al. just can't seem to get. I also agree that if, as Mitt has stated, work equates with dignity (it has for me personally over the past 50+ years) Mrs. Romney should have been afforded the opportunity to seek some of that dignity for herself.

Both sides are quick to pounce to take a sentence out of context, especially one phrased badly, and ride it to death, even when it is clear the outrage is unwarranted. It is no wonder that most national politicians are so scripted nowadays.

It is one thing to really say something controversial or objectionable, and another thing to have your words twisted to make it seem so.

One more thing our President did to disappoint me - he should stop apologizing. In this case, a simple clarification that parents do work, but recognizing that most women have to face more than just parenting every day when they get up.

Ann Romney could be a spokesperson for MS, on being a parent with MS, very significant challenges in life. But she cannot understand the financial insecurities or the time conflicts of being a mom working outside the home.

The issue of requiring work for welfare is only a problem for single parents. Single parenthood is the single biggest factor in poverty - and the statistics for the children of single parents are gloomy. The best option for an unwed mother is adoption at birth - there is high demand for babies. Even babies of minority race. (Older children are harder to find good homes for.)

The problem with higher levels of support for single mothers with children is that single mothers effectively get paid more for more illegitimate children. "Workfare" is an attempt to reduce that perverse incentive. It sucks, however, if you are already a single mother.

Hilary Rosen's comment was a cheap shot and she was called on it. It's that simple.
It defies logic to indicate that you have to directly experience something in order to understand it.
She spoke "the truth" in order to demean someone. And in the process she herself was demeaned - fair play.

"Come on! Everyone knows what Rosen meant - that Ann Romney has never depended on a paycheck to raise a family." "Everyone" does not know that this is what Rosen meant. If this is what Rosen meant, this is what she should have said. If Rosen can't correctly state her views in a public forum, she should find another line of work where accurate communication is not so important.