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.
[twitter-follow screen_name='KilloughCNN'] [twitter-follow screen_name='psteinhausercnn']
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.
Tampa Tim
I makes you wonder if his threats and stupidity got him another visit from the FBI.
--
what threats? or are you just lying again? and the constitution does guarantee his freedom of speech so why would the fbi see him? intimidation maybe?
Ted often ends his statements with das juden.
Now let's get apologies from liberal name-calling of Quayle, Bush, Cheney, Christie, and hundreds of other conservatives.
He makes racist remarks and does not apologize to the person involved, but rather to politicians who associated themselves with him who think that they may be negatively affected. Oh boy...
" ... on behalf of much better men than myself."
Well that doesn't narrow it down much.
AmericansRights
No need to apologize Nuge, obama calls us worse than that all the time
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Really? Care to provide a few examples?
@AmericansRights
No need to apologize Nuge, obama calls us worse than that all the time
Really? Care to site an example of the President calling us something worse than "Sub Human Mongrel"?
Sniffit
Not good enough. Die and thereby make the world a better place.
February 21, 2014 12:06 pm at 12:06 pm |
You are referring to Obama of course!!!
So Ted apologized to Rand Paul for calling President Obama a sub-human mongrel. Wha?! That's not an apology in my book, but really WHO CARES?!
You said it, you meant it, and it was just the latest in a long line of hate-filled venom you've spewed at President Obama (and Hillary Clinton for that matter) over the course of the last six years. Your so-called “apology” is empty and means nothing.
That being said, I'd choose a "mongrel" over a purebred draft dodging pedophile any day of the week.
CNN does care and the Liberal media has been going crazy since Ted made the statement. It was just a name not a big deal and yes we know Obama is thin skinned and Liberals have to stick up for him. Wolf went crazy on Ted you would hae thought Ted said something about Wolf.
Sad lack of respect for a sitting President. He can dislike him and his policies, but to degrade to calling of vile names detracts from any point he hopes to maket. One does not need to degrade into name calling to debate ideals.
Why apologize for telling the truth?
Ted, don't kid yourself, there are a lot of people that are much better than you.
It's also pretty obvious Senator Joe McCarthy Cruz is operating in his own alternate reality, with his delusions about "an incredible hostility to the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens" by the Obama administration.
"Real Americans" are better armed, more obviously armed, appear at even Presidential rallies with rifles slung over their shoulders, have been stockpiling enough ammo and guns to arm a battalion, enact laws in states that allow someone to kill someone else without penalty based on perceptions or appearances - where is the hostility?
Seems there's already a lot by the gun fetishists based on their own paranoia.
Nugent is the archetypal coward. He's one of those ultra low lives who advocates war as long as his butt isn't on the line. He dodged the Vietnam draft by pretending to be physically incontinent and pooping his pants. He joins an illustrious line of mostly rightwing public figures who support going to war, but personally skipping out on serving their country.
I am no fan of faux-liberal Obama, but Nugent is the last person is is qualified to criticize.
Nugent is the archetypal coward. He's one of those hypocrites who advocates war as long as his own life isn't on the line. He dodged the Vietnam draft by pretending to be physically incontinent and dirtying his pants. He joins an illustrious line of mostly hardcore rightwing public figures who support going to war, but personally skipping out on serving their country.
I am no fan of faux-liberal Obama, but Nugent is the last person is is qualified to criticize.
just asking
Tampa Tim
I makes you wonder if his threats and stupidity got him another visit from the FBI.
-
what threats? or are you just lying again? and the constitution does guarantee his freedom of speech so why would the fbi see him? intimidation maybe?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Or maybe saying "if he is reelected by this time next year I'll either be dead or in jail" is a threat. Why would he be in jail? What crime is he suggesting he may commit? Not to mention the context of the threat has to do with the President being elected. Why wouldn't he be investigated?
TONE
His apologies are a waste of time, and the much better men you are talking about are not better than you, to have you campaign for them. Abbott never condemn your racist rant so how better is he than you.
---------------------–
I have feeling that the term "better men" in this context is synonymous with "richer men".
Nugent needs to stick to music, the rest of his thoughts are garbage.
Cruz said, "And – and this administration has demonstrated an incredible hostility to the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens." Can Cruz cite even one example of someone who lost a second amendment right through actions by the Obama administration? If anything, Obama's very weak on pushing for sensible gun regulations that would make our nation a safer place to live. And has-been rocker Nugent's non-apology underscores his vast mental deficiencies.
People like him live with so much hate they should not hold power of any influence. The media should just ignore him, he will land up in jail soon breaking the lawfrom his hatred.
"I will note, there are reasons Ted Nugent – people listen to him,"..because they are really rally stupid
That is not an apology just more ravings by a has been looking to keep his name in the news......He is pathetic
Nugent owes the apology NOT to his GOP fans, but to the President and the American People. Of course, that really matters little because it is obvious that any apology from Nugent on this subject is NOT real or sincere.