Nugent apologizes for using term 'subhuman mongrel'
Updated 1:03 p.m.
(CNN) - Conservative activist and rocker Ted Nugent apologized Friday for using the term "subhuman mongrel" to describe President Barack Obama.
"I do apologize–not necessarily to the President–but on behalf of much better men than myself," he said in an interview with conservative radio host Ben Ferguson, who's also a CNN political commentator.
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Texas attorney general Greg Abbott, the likely GOP gubernatorial nominee this year, came under heavy criticism from Democrats this week for campaigning with Nugent, who's known for making outlandish comments about the President.
Watch Ted Nugent on CNN's "Erin Burnett OutFront" Monday night starting at 7 p.m. ET.
Nugent said he apologizes "for using the streetfighter terminology of 'subhuman mongrel' instead of just using more understandable language, such as 'violator of his oath to the Constitution'."
In his apology, Nugent appeared to regret more the fact that his language has been tied to Republican politicians from his state, such as Abbott, Gov. Rick Perry, and Sen. Ted Cruz.
"I apologize for using the term," he said. "I will try to elevate my vernacular to the level of those great men that I'm learning from in the world of politics."
Later on in the interview–after some people on Twitter argued Nugent's comments weren't a real apology–Ferguson asked Nugent if he was directly apologizing to the President for the comments.
"Yes," Nugent replied.
While Perry and Cruz both said they found Nugent's original comment inappropriate, they didn't rule out campaigning with him.
Sen. Rand Paul, however, made headlines when he called on Nugent to apologize Thursday night.
"Ted Nugent's derogatory description of President Obama is offensive and has no place in politics. He should apologize," the Kentucky Republican tweeted.
Asked by CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer Thursday in an interview "The Situation Room" about Nugent, Perry said "The idea that Ted Nugent has said something that's outrageous shouldn't surprise anybody."
Perry, who's considering a second bid for the Republican presidential nomination, added that Nugent "shouldn't have said something like that about the President of the United States."
And Cruz distanced himself with what Nugent said in an exclusive interview Wednesday with CNN Chief Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash.
"Those sentiments there, of course, I don't agree with them. You've never heard me say such a thing and nor would I," Cruz said.
But the GOP senator, who's also entertaining a 2016 run, embraced Nugent's outspoken stance in support of the Second Amendment.
"I will note, there are reasons Ted Nugent - people listen to him, which is that he has been fighting passionately for Second Amendment rights. And - and this administration has demonstrated an incredible hostility to the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens," Cruz said.
He's just an entertainer, and so are politicians!
Poor Ted.....Someone say a prayer...I'm guessing he wasn't hugged enuf during his very short tenure at Community College. Hell and it was the 70's too.....
Has uncle Ted said,"if Wendy Davis is elected, I will be dead or in jail"? He didn't keep his promise last time so he can't be trusted.
Ted Nugent, representing the lowest common denominator as proficiently as ever. I don't care what your politics are; if you are not insulted by politicians who believe that courting the likes of Ted Nugent as a mouthpiece is what it takes to get through to you, then it probably doesn't matter to you whose names are on the ballot anyway.
Even Rand Paul knew it was wrong.
But Ted Cruz's father has said some of the same things about the President.
@ Rudy NYC
I have feeling that the term "better men" in this context is synonymous with "richer men".
Thank for the Info, one question you mean code words?
Wow. Ted Nugent sure is judgmental for being a known pederast.
He gives free speech a bad name
I learned from the Dixie Chicks you don't bad mouth the president. So where are Texans assembling to burn Ted's CDs?
There's nothing lower than a guy who won't apologize when caught. Gutless coward.
Also, it's "distanced from" not "with"
Pretty simple concept really, Ashley and Editor.
I doubt he meant it. He's what the average Tea Partier is.
He does not mean his apology and never will, this is what the teabagging right does. Say somethings stupid then try to take it back. Too hear these idiots talk you'd think the nazi's were goose stepping into the country. Most people are very aware the country is doing great and has a ways to go.
This was never going to be easy folks and if you did you are nuts. The mess we were left with after the bush cheney regime were gone was so vast it boggles the mind. It takes time and the President stopped the bleeding of people being out of work...has more work to go. He stopped the country from going bankrupt, stopped the car industry from going out of business just think of the jobs loss there.
Now we have universal health care which more and more people are getting and will and is going to help our country now and in the future. The country is heading in the right direction and if the teabagging republicants would help instead of do nothing but tell lies and name call we would be doing even better now. How many billions did the shut down cost us? These wars are killing us financially and the President has and is ending those. I am not rich by any means but i know when someone is trying and others are not. We simply need to vote out all the repubs in the house and senate so we can get the country moving faster. The president has tried for years to get an infrustruture bill moving so people can be hired to help fix the roads, highways, bridges, and water mains in our nation. WHY WON'T THE TEABAGGER REPUBLICANTS STAND UP FOR THAT? They won't they just want to blaock everything then blame the President. Look and read the truth for yourselves people and sure there are a number of idiot Democrats that are in the same boat. We can't keep living this lie that becuase someone says lies you believe them out right. Think and look for yourselves people. You will see the truth.....and it isn't ted nugent, cruz, hannity, palin or fox news.
Malory Archer, so what will you call VP BIden who asked for FIVE deferments and got them, because a politician life is worth more than a draftees.
Rudy NYC, so you NEVER heard or read anything the liberals like you said about those who don't agree with them, or the derogatory remarks that have been made about Gov.Palins children or the remarks make about Pres.Bush or the death wishes from your side toward any conservative or republican. Guess you live in your own little world.
Ted Nugent, Ted Cruz, political twins, the soul of the GOP.
Their world view Is not left or right, just crazy wrong.
To quote the lyrics of a group of musicians (same industry as Uncle Ted): "Hicks don't mix with politics."
"I will try to elevate my vernacular to the level of those great men that I'm learning from in the world of politics."
Wow, he's slamming back the KoolAid hard.
Ted Nugent, like Ann Coulter, is a very sick person. He should seriously consider getting professional psychiatric help.
Sen. Rand Paul, however, made headlines when he called on Nugent to apologize Thursday night.
"Ted Nugent's derogatory description of President Obama is offensive and has no place in politics. He should apologize," the Kentucky Republican tweeted.
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Rand Paul has been making a whole lot of sense lately.
His speech at Howard University here in DC was well-received.
His stance on restoring voting rights to some felons is well-thought out and reasonable, and resonates well in the communities that his Party keeps paying lip-service to but can't seem to truly embrace.
And now he stands as the ONLY Republican to say that Nugent's insults to the President are unacceptable.
What has happened to decent, patriotic, Republicans that only ONE man in their entire Party's so-called ledership sees Nugent's behaviour as reprehensible?
The answer to that question holds the key to your Party's resurrection from the dead.
The apology is too late and irrelevant. It's been clear for a long time that Ted Nugent is A Ted Nugent. As Butthead would say to Beavis, "You're a waste of space."
"I do apologize–not necessarily to the President–"
Then who are you apologizing to ?
"but on behalf of much better men than myself," (isn't that just about everybody ??)
So you're not apologizing yourself, but you're apologizing for other people who should have apologized for you ?
Amazing.
I would be insulted if Ted ever said anything nice about me.
I actually bought this idiot's records back in the 1970s when I was a teenager. Now that I'm in my 50s, I believe he has too much self-importance. Ted, go tour with Leif Garrett or some other washed-up has-been such as yourself. You haven't been relevant in 30+ years, no one cares anymore. Really.
Republicans like Nugent are the greatest asset the Democrats have. They show intelligent, forward thinking people the true colors of the Republican party. Sadly, Nugent is all too typical of the Republican party.