Why did the Obama campaign punt instead of fighting back?

I am confused. Hilary Rosen, who is described as a "political consultant who advises the DNC" is being criticized by Obama's campaign staff:

David Axelrod, Obama’s top strategist, tweeted: “Also Disappointed in Hilary Rosen’s comments about Ann Romney. They were inappropriate and offensive.”

And Stephanie Cutter, Obama’s deputy campaign manager, tweeted: “Families must be off limits on campaigns, and i personally believe stay at home moms work harder than most of us do.”

On the other hand, Greta Van Susteren of Fox News is defending Rosen and her remarks against both the Romney and the Obama folks.

I agree with Susteren. What Rosen said is only being attacked when taken out of context of the question and her complete (not truncated) reply on CNN interview.

As Susteren says in her brief column The question is not whether the candidate's wife worked at home in raising a family with five sons. The question is does she know what it is like to work outside the home and raise a family-- as most American women do.

Romney has sent his wife out to represent his campaign on "women's issues." But is Ann Romney really informed on womens issues just because she is female. I don't think so.

The part that is most irritating to me is that Obama's staff did not rally to Rosen's aid, but instead left her high and dry to defend herself.

According to the Washinton Post on Twitter, "Rosen did not apologize, but wrote several tweets trying to explain her comments, saying her point was that Mitt Romney should stop saying on the campaign trail that Ann is his guide to the economic problems facing women because “she doesn’t have any.”

Rosen tweeted at Ann Romney, saying:

“I am raising children too. But most young American women HAVE to BOTH earn a living AND raise children. You know that don’t u?”

Later, Rosen tweeted again at Romney: “Please know, I admire you. But your husband shouldn’t say you are his expert on women and the economy..."