(2002-12-11) -- As U.S. Senator Trent Lott, R-Miss., continued his apologies for a remark that seemed to imply support of racism, Democrats in Congress hint they may offer some mea culpas for their support of a proven sexist.

Aides to leading Democrats say Lott's contrition has inspired them to apologize for their previous support of Bill Clinton, despite his record of sexism and subjugation of women.

"Lott simply said something that might seem racist," according to one Democrat insider, "but Clinton actually did stuff to demonstrate his low opinion of women. He disrespected his wife, and abused his intern. People are ready to keel-haul Lott for words, but Clinton's deeds show what he really believed about women."

"The question we Democrats need to answer is, if we did not mean to endorse sexism when we supported Clinton, what did we mean?" said Senator Tom Daschle, D-SD.

However, some Democrat colleagues disagreed, saying it was possible to praise the former president, without supporting everything he ever did.