TV host apologizes for hurricane remark

A popular political commentator on cable TV is apologizing for a remark he made on Election Night involving Hurricane Sandy.

The Democrat-leaning Chris Matthews, who hosts “Hardball” on MSNBC, said “I'm so glad we had that storm last week” because it showcased the leadership abilities of President Obama for the American people.

Matthews’ remarks have upset some people, according to the Real Clear Politics website .

An estimated 113 people died due to Hurricane Sandy, including 48 in New York and 24 in New Jersey. Also, the superstorm caused about $50 billion in property damage.

A day later, on Wednesday, Matthews apologized for the remark at the opening of his show.

“I was on last night for 10 hours straight, from 5 in the evening till 3 in the morning,” Matthews said. “At a few minutes to 3, I said something terrible. I said that I was glad about the coming of tropical storm Sandy because of its impact on this national campaign. It was a terrible thing to say, period.”

He added, “I can say it was because I was tired but the fact is I wasn't thinking of the horrible mess this storm has made of people's lives up here in New York and elsewhere. It's not until you read the local newspapers around here that you see and know the horror this has wreaked on people's lives.”