They know he’s a liberal Obama supporter. Thus a free pass for racist, sexist, or homophobic insults, and for verbally assaulting women, including his daughter.
But if you confess to “using N-word while conservative” 20 years ago, a grovelling apology just makes it worse. I had no idea about Paula Deen’s political leanings, but now I assume she did not contribute sufficiently to the Democrats.
Paula Deen is a liberal who supported Obama. However, she is: middle aged female; Southern; overweight; and said Michelle Obama ate more on her show than any other guest, she even ate during commercials.