On the heels of a rumored protest today and a Media Matters "Take Action" campaign which started last week, Chris Matthews spent the first five minutes of Hardball today talking about his recent comments about Sen. Hillary Clinton.

Matthews never says the words "sorry" or "apologize," but he does attempt to explain what he was trying to say. Here is some of what Matthews said:

"Was it fair to say that Hillary Clinton, like any great politician took advantage of a crisis to prove herself? Was her conduct in 1998 a key to starting her independent electoral career the following year? Yes. Was it fair to imply that Hillary's whole career depended on being a victim of an unfaithful husband? No. And that's what it sounded like I was saying. And it hurt people. People I'd like to think normally like what I say. In fact, normally like me. As I said, I rely on my heart to guide me in the heated, fast-paced talk we have here on Hardball. A heart that bears only goodwill toward people trying to make it out there, especially those who haven't before. If my heart has not always controlled my words, on those occasions when I have not taken the time to say things right or have simply said the inappropriate thing, I'll try to be clearer, smarter, more obviously in support of the right of women, of all people, the full equality and respect for their ambitions."

So, will this satisfy the groups angered by his statements?

> Update: Media Matters has the video from the segment. They also have this statement from the Pres. and CEO of Media Matters, David Brock: "It is a step in the right direction that Matthews has finally admitted his comments about Hillary Clinton have been unfair, inappropriate and callous. Matthews said going forward he will try to be more supportive of the right of women to full equality and respect for their ambitions. That is a pledge MSNBC has a responsibility to hold him to in the weeks and months ahead. Media Matters certainly will."