WASHINGTON - President Obama made Mitt Romney’s day on Friday by declaring “the private sector is doing fine’’ and opening himself to the accusation that he - not the rich Republican - is the one who is out of touch with reality. Obama quickly clarified his remark, but Republicans already had their teeth in it and weren’t letting go.

“Is he really that out of touch?’’ GOP presidential candidate Romney asked as Obama’s initial comments ricocheted through the presidential campaign.