While many people found Sen. Mark Kirk's recent "bro with no ho" remark to be inappropriate and offensive, Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum defended the controversial comment, saying "guys'll be guys."

On Thursday, Kirk was overheard on an open microphone making the off the cuff remark during a Senate Appropriations Committee markup session, reported The Huffington Post. Apparently, the Illinois senator was referring to fellow Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, a longtime bachelor and presidential hopeful, as a "bro with no ho."

"I've been joking with Lindsey. Did you see that? He's going to have a rotating first lady. He's a bro with no ho," said Kirk, who is also a bachelor.

Later, Kirk said that he regretted the comment, reports Politico. An aide also dismissed the quip was a "joke between friends" in an email sent to Chicago Sun-Times Washington Bureau Chief Lynn Sweet. The aide then followed up several minutes later, adding "The Senator apologizes to anyone offended by his remark."

Democrats, however, blasted the junior GOP senator for his remark.

"Sen. Kirk, referring to women as a 'ho' is never cute + beneath the dignity of a Senator. US women deserve an apology #StayClassy @SenKirk," tweeted Democratic Rep. Luis Gutierrez of Chicago Thursday afternoon.

U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth also condemned the derogatory language used by the 55-year-old congressman.

"Senator Kirk's joke is as offensive as it is unfunny, and he should apologize, personally and immediately," said Duckworth's campaign spokeswoman.

On the other hand, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum dismissed the comments as a "locker-room conversation" during an interview on CNN's "Out Front" on Thursday. He also argued that people are no longer afforded the "privilege" to have such discussions due to ubiquitous recording devices.

"You can't say anything off-mic, off-camera -- and you know, guys'll be guys when they're sitting there up on a platform," added the presidential hopeful.