Hilary Rosen Apologizes to Ann Romney: 'Let's Put the Faux 'War Against Stay-at-Home Moms' to Rest

Democratic strategist Hilary Rosen came out with a statement Thursday afternoon apologizing to Ann Romney for saying the wife of GOP presidential contender Mitt Romney "never worked a day in her life."

Rosen's initial comments Wednesday night ignited a firestorm of controversy and prompted several high-ranking Obama administration and Democratic Party officials -- as well as first lady Michelle Obama -- to condemn her remarks. Ann Romney hit back at Rosen during an appearance on Fox News Thursday morning, saying she made the "career choice" to be a stay-at-home mom.

Rosen's statement, via Talking Points Memo:

Let’s put the faux "war against stay at home moms" to rest once and for all. 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. In response to Mitt Romney on the campaign trail referring to his wife as a better person to answer questions about women than he is, I was discussing his poor record on the plight of women’s financial struggles. Here is my more fulsome view of the issues. As a partner in a firm full of women who work outside of the home as well as stay at home mothers, all with plenty of children, gender equality is not a talking point for me. It is an issue I live every day. 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.

Rosen's statement came after a CNN appearance earlier Thursday in which she didn't back down from her comments. In a subsequent appearance later in the day, she reiterated her apology and said this was "not a debate between stay-at-home moms and working moms."

"I have been a stay-at-home mom," Rosen said on CNN. "This is not a debate about stay-at-home moms vs. working moms."

Rosen said the point she had been trying to make was that Mitt Romney should not hold his wife up as his top surrogate on women and the economy because Ann Romney has not had to work to make a living. She also accused the Romney campaign of forcing the issue as a way to distract from the former Massachusetts governor's record.

"I applaud your decision to stay home and raise what are obviously five wonderful boys," Rosen said in comments directed toward Ann Romney. "I think your husband needs to stand up for women's economic struggles. So far we have not seen how he's going to do this on the campaign trail."

Watch below, via CNN: