(Photo: Getty)

Hardball host Chris Matthews is facing the wrath of Staten Islanders affected by Hurricane Sandy after he said he was glad the storm occurred on the air.

During his election night wrap-up on Tuesday, Mr. Matthews said it was “a good day for America,” and added, “I’m so glad we had that storm last week.” After Rachel Maddow, who was seated next to him, gave an audible "ooh," at his choice of words, Mr. Matthews countered, "No, politically, I should say--not in terms of hurting people. The storm brought in possibilities for good politics."

According to the Staten Island Advance, Mr. Matthews' remarks didn't go over very well with New York City's least-populated borough, which suffered a majority of Hurricane Sandy's fatalities in the city.

Borough President James Molinaro, for example, told the publication it was "a stupid statement from a stupid person."

While State Senator Andy Lanza fumed, "It is insensitive, distasteful and wrong, to say the least, that an MSNBC commentator would politicize a national tragedy like Hurricane Sandy."

"Most people are safe from Sandy's aftermath... but I'd recommend Mr. Matthews avoid our neighbors in Tottenville, South Beach, etc.... for safety reasons, of course," Assemblyman-elect Joe Borrelli suggested on Facebook, citing two of the hardest-hit neighborhoods.

Mr. Matthews would later apologize for the remarks, writing, "To clarify - I was thrilled at the cooperation between the President and state officials that made the country proud. Great bipartisanship."

"I said something bad about something bad when I should have said something good," he profusely added on Hardball last night. "I've heard from members of my family, members of my own family, who live near the areas hit, they don't like what I said any more than a lot of other people like it. Please believe me, I'm determined to do what I can to try to help the people who have been hurt enough and are suffering enough hardship without hearing stupid stuff from me."

Ben Jacobs had high expectations for Donald Trump's new Super PAC.

The Trump Super PAC will be the classiest Super PAC in all of Atlantic City

—
Ben Jacobs (@benhjacobs) May 24, 2012

Congressional candidate Samuel "Joe The Plumber" Wurzelbacher was under seige.

The twitter trolls are out in force : ) #tcot #jtp

—
Joe the Plumber (@Joe4Congress12) May 23, 2012

@delrayser thought Newt Gingrich's Hardball appearance needed a disclaimer.

Newt Gingrich is not an accredited zoologist. He is simply an enthusiastic young man w/a 6th grade education & love for all God's creatures.

—
  (@delrayser) May 24, 2012

Chris Cillizza of the Washington Post had a wonky take on the American Idol finale.

RESOLVED: Phil Phillips is the most famous doubled named guy this side of Boutros Boutros-Ghali.

—
The Fix (@TheFix) May 24, 2012

Actor Don Cheadle didn't have the chance to avenge his recent basketball loss to President Obama when they saw each other in California last night.

(Disclosure: Donald Trump is the father in law of Jared Kushner, the owner of Observer Media Group)

And Chris Matthews, who prefaced his question with some glowing praise -- “I think you have a great future, everybody knows that, senator" -- wanted to know if she might try to break the glass ceiling on the governor's mansion.

"Do you think there’s a ceiling at the Senate or gubernatorial level?" he asked. "Is there any advantage in running for governor of New York for example? Not against Andrew, who’s doing so great, but in general terms. Is there still a glass ceiling?”

Gillibrand didn't exactly take the bait, speaking generally about women running.

"The reality is that not enough women are running for office," she said. "I think we need a call to action for women to engage."

Matthews didn't ask about the claims in Hochul's hometown paper, the Buffalo News, that Gillibrand's Off The Sidelines website should be more transparent that its contributions go to Gillibrand for Senate.

But he did ask whether the notion of women as forging consensus applied across the board.

"You mean Congresswoman Bachmman is a consensus builder?" he barked.

Gillibrand started laughing before he could finish the question.

“Not all women, but many women,” she said.

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