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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Ted Nugent = subhuman mongrel
"Nugent is the Jane Fonda of the Republican Party." Nope, she followed her boyfriend, who will sue you and take your house if you talk bad about him, over to Nam and did some stupid things there when she was a kid. She pretty much agrees that she was naive and stupid, in case you wonder. Nugent was notoriously gun-happy and unstable but he was still plausible enough for the Damn Yankees to recruit him as guitar player after he ran his band off, then he all of a sudden started flipping out left and right with this nonsense about doomsday politics. You can't compare him to someone who is still squirming over the one stupid thing she did; he's done lots of stupid stuff and likes it.
Ted Nugent needs to apologize for being alive. He swore to America that If President Obama won re-electon in 2012, that he would not be alive. Well Ted you moron, you can still honor your promise and just run off into some rats nest and die. People like you, Cruz, Palin, Bachmann, McConnell, Jindal and many, many more of you Republic0ns and Teabaggers can join him in the afterlife. Mainly, because you are all worthless, shameless, useless, spineless, heartless and for good measure, yes you are all clueless. Oh yeah Jindal I see that your Party's are honoring your request about not being the STUPID party's. All I can do is laugh. I am sure the late night TV comedians are licking their chops while waiting to see that star studded group of stupid people you guys will have for candidates for POTUS. Actually hell ALL of America can use a good laugh, at the Republic0n and Teabagger Party's. I have the popcorn. Start the wind up the stupid ones and lets get this show on the road...LMAO
OdinVonTogan
Yes, by all means, let us continue with Politics As Usual – because that is working so well for us.
Nugent, FYI, never did drugs and does not drink alcohol, and runs several charities, food pantries included.
He does have difficulty bringing himself down to the intellectual level of most people on this diseased planet.
Doesn't matter what good he does his racism over shadows all of that, me personally will never believe that any teahadist give to charity too selfish for me.
Indeed, the insult was deeply offensive to subhuman mongrels.
He should have said he lives in a chocolate city.
I have to disagree. I DO NOT THINK Double Live Gonzo was the best. I think the 1st TED NUGENT album was the best w/ Storm Troops on it.. The other were good to.
Being a racist Republican in Texas could hurt your chances of being elected said no one ever.
That's what I call a nonpology. "Better men than himself?" Those men are no different from you and share your same views and opinions. They just can't say what they really mean out in public. Some of them do because they're in most redneckish of red districts or states.
History moves on and people's memories become dim on certain matters, but part of the outrage of Nugent's comment is that one very infamous and genocidal racist referred to certain races as "mongrel." I'll give you a hint: His initials were. A. H.
Abbott will have a fit when he sees the amount of money the Davis campaign has raked in after this nut job spewed his garbage. Keep blathering Teddy.
Why would anyone associate with Ted Nugent republican or demo? he's pretty much an embarrassment as an American. He's not a mongrel? Who isn't a mongrel in this country...?geeze
Poor teddy, someone told him he was important and was a good musician – which he is neither. Seriously folks, if this is the most talented person the GOP can get to reach out to the masses they are in more trouble than I thought. And serious rockers in the 60's and 70's never listened to him – we were pretty busy listening to Janis Joplin, Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young, The Greatful dead, The Beatles, The Stones, Fleetwood Mac and the Allman Brothers (all of them including Mark and Dewayne). Good thing they can get 300 to come see him now cause I doubt that many came to see him back then. Grow on up Ted, realize you did grow old and your views prove it. If Ted says it I'm probably going to do the exact opposite because I know he is pretty worthless except in his own opinion of himself and how great he thinks he is (but really is not).
I am grateful to Senator Rand Paul for elevating the level of conversation of his fellow Republicans about Barack Obama. We choose in an enlighten society to disagree with the principles of the person rather than the superficial content like race, creed, and gender preference. I had become very dismayed with the personal attacks against our President, which have been used rather than to debate him on the issues. You are respected Mr. Paul!!!
That's hilarious!
How many remarks is this guy going to have to apologize for before he learns to live in a civilized society? He's a thug.
I never liked Nugent but i did like his first song. Nugent has every right to call Obama what he wants. I will say this, Obama is an outright liar and those that uphiold him are just as gulty
Kids say: " I know you are, but what am I?"…
I think it's time to bring dueling back.
Anybody else notice that Nugent is sporting a small Islamic-style beard?
@OdinVonTogan
His drug is a cc of racism every 30 sec gets high from racism
Someone should string this KKK from a tree with a rope – lousy musician – traitor to America – just off him.
Well for better people than you cater to Ted Nugent, I don't accept your apology. And, as a resident of the state of Texas, I will vote but I will NEVER vote for a Republican if my life depended on it. I heard the bunch of weasel elected Republican officials and their comments about what Nugent said and how they basically implied that they didn't care. The damage has been done and hopefully Texas will soon turn blue before the likes of Republicans running it destroy the state.
It is OK people. I deserve it. I lied to the entire country. Call me whatever you want. I can't hear it anyways out here on the golf course.
Someone got their arm twisted and it was a non-aplogy to the man insulted -still leaving the insult-Nugent shows how small a man he is