NEW YORK -- New York Sen. Hillary Clinton is expected to tell Rutgers students what she thinks of the controversy surrounding Imus and the school's basketball team.

NBC News has confirmed that Clinton will be giving a speech at Rutgers on Monday.

A campaign spokesman said, "The Eagleton Center for American Women and Politics had a standing invitation for her and we felt that it would be an appropriate time to discuss the role of women in society given all that is happening."

Earlier this week, Clinton, who also has been on the receiving end of Imus' insults, launched an online petition drive to support the Rutgers players. She said Imus' comments "were nothing more than small-minded bigotry and coarse sexism.''

Clinton's online petition allows petitioners to ask for e-mail updates from her campaign, which could expand the reach of her political message and provide new names to solicit for contributions.

Barack Obama has also weighed in, saying, "He didn't just cross the line, he fed into some of the worst stereotypes that my two young daughters are having to deal with today in America.''

Two other Democratic White House candidates -- Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards and Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd -- also criticized the comments.

On the GOP side, Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain said Monday he stands by radio host Don Imus, who has been suspended for making what his employers called racist comments on the air.

"He has apologized," McCain said. "He said that he is deeply sorry. I'm a great believer in redemption."

Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, himself the leading Republican party candidate for the White House, also has indicated support for Imus.