The comment that started the latest media migraine:

In this March 19, 2012 file photo, Ann Romney, wife of Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney speaks in Springfield, Ill. (AP Photo)

“His wife has actually never worked a day in her life,”
CNN’s Hilary Rosen playing into this idea that Ann
Romney is a Stepford wife.

President Obama immediately condemned the comment as out
of line, but it also put Mrs. Romney center stage and gave
her a chance to prove just how un-Stepford she is:

“My career choice was to be a mother and I think all of us
need to know that we need to respect choices that women
make. Other women make other choices to have a career and
raise a family, which I think Hilary Rosen has actually
done herself. I respect that, that’s wonderful. But you
know, there are other people who have a choice. We have
to respect women in all the choices they make.”

Ann Romney, on Fox, mentioning choice five times in 21
seconds.

All this jumped out of the radio when I heard it. Because
just when the political divide on women seems deepest
we suddenly see liberal Democrats like the president
scrambling to defend traditional motherhood, and at the
same time, the wife of the presumptive Republican nominee
is talking choices, choices, choices, choices, choices.

And… compassion:

“I would love to have people understand that Mitt and I
have compassion for people who are struggling and that’s
why we’re running.”

Does that sound like someone who would let the insurance
companies cut off your kids insurance? Does that sound
like a First Lady who would just stand by as companies lay
off working women in the name of fatter profits? Would
she deny family leave to women who need to take care of
sick children? Would she agree that every woman should be
able to send her children an excellent school, regardless
of income?

I don’t know about their husbands, but it sounds to me
like Ann Romney and Michele Obama could campaign together!
We’ll see.