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.
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Uncle Ted for President in 2016!!! NRA 4 Life!!!
It is really sad for America that in 2008 Republican Strategists discovered that they could FOMENT the Latent Racism that has been hiding just below the surface in America into a Political Weapon to Attack Barack Obama. Now it is considered acceptable Public Conversation to express ugly Fear and Hatred of other races and other religions that were formally HIDDEN by necessity under a White KKK Hood
Isn't this the same draft dodger that said he would either be dead or in jail if Obama was elected a second time. We are waiting...............
Nugent spoke like a Nazi . . .and his Tea Party masters would TREAT other non whites like Nazis did, if they ever came into power. This "apology" is obviously NOT heart felt and JUST as obviously only a publicity stunt. Sad thing is some people will be "un-smart" enough to believe it!
Nugent had to backtrack, and quickly. The term "subhuman mongrel" is straight out of Nazi propaganda, and more and more people were pointing it out on line and on the air. Not exactly the kind of credentials anyone wants to campaign for office with.
Please, keep it coming. Don't apologize if you don't mean it. Show the world how your side REALLY thinks. Thinks? is that too strong a word?
The likes of Ted Nugent and State of Texas really need to get over themselves. I propose that we give Texas back to Mexico. There are no concerns here. Mexico would plead for us to take back Texas after 5 – 10 years. – mainly because Texas is so special.
If ted nugent thinks that the President of The United States of America is a sub human mongrel, what does he think about blacks in general, mexicans or other minorities? ted nugent is a bonafide racist and the people who embrace him are the same. They feel the same way, but they are to smart to say it out loud.
Pathetic Ted , please just go away...............
"Ted is still the guy who pooped his pants to avoid military service. I just can't get past that fact when I see him. All talk and no walk. The NRA needs to drop this draft dodger."
As long as DemocRAT Draft Dodger Willie Clinton is around, you cannot call ANYONE a "draft dodger"!
Mongrel – 1 : an individual resulting from the interbreeding of diverse breeds or strains ; especially : one of unknown ancestry 2 : a cross between types of persons or things – Webster's Dictionary
So, technically it's factual.
Why is he apologizing? This sort of thing is his bread and butter now, considering he hasn't put out worthwhile music in almost 40 years.
Lookin' in your windows and listenin' to your phone...
Could it be that the Democrats and media are trying to distract from the liar and fraud the Democrats are running for office? Naaaahhhhhhhh.....
@Mopery – 2nd Amendment rights exist for one reason: To enable the citizenry with the ability to fight against their own nation's army, should the need arise. The NRA needs to push for legalization of....
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This type of uneducated/ignorant rambling is precisely what gives law abiding gun owners a bad name. The 2nd Amendment was written so that citizenry could be called upon to defend the fledgling states (against the Brits, France, etc) against invasion, since there was NO standing army at the time. It had nothing to with rising up against their own forces.. I'm astounded at the lack of education in some of these posts...
Funny! I have heard Barry be called alot worse than that. Personally I just refer to him as President BlackBush. Is that bad? At least it is true – he is just a darker version of Bush. Bloodthirsty sociopathic killer of humans around the world. Oooops – there I go again! No apology here, sorry.
imbeciles like nugent have a nasty habit of giving the opposition a brush to paint their entire movement/party/etc with.
I really wish he would shut his mouth and go back to doing whatever it was be was doing.
Dog whistle politics ( coded racism) of "mainly" republican politicians and a racist bigot like Nugent spewing verbal racial slurs are equal in disgust. Whether shouted or whispered... racists and bigots are racist and bigots. Hate is just another word for fear. Weak damaged individuals equate hate with macho/ strength when in fact their behavior merely shows a frightened and immature being separated only from the rest of humanity. Swap out the variety of hate words and input fear/ afraid and then see what you are really saying about yourself.
That was one of the most blatant non-apology apologies ever. Ted Nugent is a foul-mouthed hater who contributes nothing of value to the political discourse in this country. I don't supposed he'll even both with a non-apology apology for calling women who are running for office wh-ores and fat pigs just because they are Democrats. Ted Nugent is disgusting.
He really just needs to apologize for his entire life!
Mr. Nugent is a great salesman for the GOP and their platter of hatred.
When you are a failed aging rock-and-roller and you find a niche audience amongst racists and klansmen, I guess you have to milk that for all it is worth, right?
sweaty teddy...you're a piece of crap. go crawl back under that rock.
==While Perry and Cruz both said they found Nugent's original comment inappropriate, they didn't rule out campaigning with him.==
As long as wingnuts still have the vote.
Its really disgusting how someone with a bit of name recognition and nothing else, can be elevated to spokesman for so large a group of right-wing Americans, just by making hateful speeches.
This should be embarrassing to the righties who apparently respect his views, when it is obvious all Nugent is after is attention.
I'm embarrassed that I am even commenting on this issue, but its kinda a slow day.