Byrd: Why I Left the Klan

I'd like to know. Why is it that politicians are bound to different standards of reasoning and logic than the rest of us. When asked why he used racial slurs in a 2001 television interview, the best explanation Byrd can come up with, is "I have heard many people use it." Would that excuse work for a 10 year old? Why does Robert Byrd get a pass? I mean, it is possible for a person to change. But doesn't his past at least signify that he has had poor judgement? If he was so wrong back then, then why should we listen to him about anything now?