Democratic Strategist: 'I Apologize to Ann Romney'

Democratic operative Hilary Rosen has apologized to Ann Romney for "poorly chosen" words that sparked a media frenzy. Rosen suggested Romney, a stay-at-home mother of five, had "never worked a day in her life," prompting attacks from Republicans as Democrats distanced themselves from the comments. "I apologize to Ann Romney and anyone else who was offended," Rosen said, adding that it was time to "put the faux 'war against stay-at-home moms' to rest," ABC News reports. (CNN has her full statement here.)

Michelle Obama weighed in on Romney's behalf; now Barbara Bush, who applauded the apology, says it's time to "forget" the controversy. Republicans have jumped on the comments as Democratic leaders assert that Rosen advises neither the Obama campaign nor the Democratic National Committee. Rosen said earlier today that her words weren't "about Ann Romney. This is about the waitress in a diner in Nevada who has two kids whose day care funding is being cut off because of the Romney-Ryan budget and she doesn't know what to do." (More Ann Romney stories.)