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.
I am a Republican. Guys like Nugent are disgusting to mankind and to the party. I am not voting for Republicans if they can't reinforce civility and shun stupidity.
What qualifications make Nugent someone to look up to and listen to (My opinion.):
1. Graduated, somewhat, from high school and briefly attended a CC, some say for educational draft avoidance. Anyway, he shows the benefits minimal education through absurdness, narcissism & self-aggrandizement as evidenced in his legendary bizarre diatribes.
2. Supposedly said he avoided the draft by feigning mental issues that would make him incompatible with military discipline. Later stated that service was for (paraphrase) – losers.
3. Married twice with eight kids (shows real concern for over population and it's environment impact). Without telling anyone (until recently found out) gave one of his, not-so-legitimate (in the eyes of his Catholicism whose, incidentally, long history of human rights violations are legend) babies up for adoption.
4. Age of thirty started skirt chasing a 17 year old. Then, to get around that sleaze, simply made it an "adoption".
5. Your manhood (courage) is shown in using a lot of high tech hunting weaponry and special hunting comforts to kill for sport critters who have as their main defense, well, just being defenseless. So, Ted "The Coward" I spent part of my early life raised on a ranch (you were raised in Detroit) where we only killed cougar and coyote if their cattle kills became excessive. Your hunting is typical of those overcoming psychological inadequacies.
6. Being a spokesman for a clique of billionaires who see their pursuit of wealth and avoidance of taxes (who use 100s of millions to influence politics) as a moral right is another example of the un-level playing field you need like to play on.
Nugent represents the disgusting, ignorant, offensive, racist, fascist core of today's Republican party.
so he basically apologized to himself?
Ted should have never stopped taking drugs...he would have something to blame his statement on.
That was not an apology.
Nugent is a pervert who admits he slept with thousands of his female fans. He doesn't drink or do drugs, but he's more than happy to take advantage of those who do (which explains why thousands of women have slept with this pig). The only reasons the conservatives like him is because he is a total gun nut, and could help bring rock and roll fans (with very poor taste) to the GOP. I guarantee you that not one GOP politician would leave their underage daughter alone with Ted for 1 minute. They're just using him, and he's loving the attention. The man is antisemitic and racist. As for his guitar skills, well, I'm a pretty decent player myself, and I will admit that Ted can play more notes per minute than me, and most guitarists on the planet, but when I hear him, all I hear is showing-off. There is no heart or soul to his playing, just speed (much like his mouth). His songs stink almost as bad as his ego. You want to hear great guitar? Pull-up any Pink Floyd/David Gilmour, Stevie Ray Vaughan, or Jimi Hendrix song, and hear something that will move you, not just "impress" you. Music is about feeling and emotion. Heck, even old Kiss songs blow his best songs away. Playing guitar is not a speed contest, it's an art-form. I file his music in the "round bin." A great guitarist can bring tears to people's eyes. Ted can, too, but only when he's sharing his opinions, or dumping his latest one-niter.
wow – Dixie Chicks say they are ashamed of the President, and the righties boycott them. Nugent pulls his tricks and the majority don't care, but a few call him out, and he makes a fake apology. Now, all is forgiven.
why would any one care about what ted nugent thinks?
he's good at music, but that doesn't make him intelligent on world issues. he has enough money to purchase as many yes-men as he wants, but that doesn't qualify him to comment on the president with any great weight.
"Why is anything Ted Nugent says newsworthy? " He was arm-in-arm with the Attorney General of Texas, who was loudly agreeing with him, calling him a staunch patriot, and praising him to the skies for bringing out the vote. THAT is the story, not that poor Ted is vainly yelping about how hard it is to be schizo in today's society. He is seen by the GOP as an example of the folks who vote for them, and they see no problem with his views, and that's why you are reading about him so much lately. As long as they can pretend Ted is sane and so are they, we do not dare let them have any power. I'm thinking they will sober up in a decade or so.
To call ted a Neanderthal would be a criminally vicious slur on Neanderthals.
Ped Nugent/Queen of the Iquitarod 2016
GOPs best choice.
I know that there are African Americans out there who praise Obama, but disagree with him on many policies, but don't feel like they have a place in the GOP either because the racist element of the GOP or they may be seen as an Uncle Tom by their peers. I say do not be afraid to be different. Sometimes if you wan to enact change, you have to start within the party and. To me being as individual and opinionated as we are, We're more than just one party. We cant let the elements of fear and hate keep us away from what you truly stand for.
He apologizes, but not to the president... and instead turns it into a campaign ad for guys like Rick Perry.
Ted Nugent is like the audio book version of Mein Kampf.
Lizzie wrote at February 21, 2014 01:32 pm:
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.
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First and foremost, I detest name calling. I consider getting personal with name calling an admission of defeat. Nugent has just confessed, once again, to his disgust that Romney lost.
Second, whatever irrelevant remarks made by the irrelevant people on this blog are totally irrelevant. You're comparing apples and oranges. Republicans proudly take Nugent on the campaign trail with them. Palin put her daughter on the campaign trail, which naturally brought them criticism. Palin preaching Christian values and her teenage daughter is pregnant with a child out of wedlock.
Finally, Nugent called out his own death wish concerning Pres. Obama's reelection. People have been reminding him that he should either be dead or in jail. Those were his words. He's neither.
Someone says something against Obama the MSM and many on the left want that person jailed.
Remember what people have (and continue to say) about WBush? Silence, well support from th MSM and the left.
Odd the left claims that they are the ones who are diverse. As long as you do not go against the group think you are fine. Take a step outside of that and you are done.
I'll tell ya who's a subhuman mongrel, it's the guy that's supposed to be making sure Ted takes his meds.
This guy is such an idiot and so emblamatic of what the right is.
come on Ted, say what you really mean. Be a man & call him what you only do in private
Nugent could do so much good but instead focuses his energy on the dumb and pointless.
How about shooting camps for young boys, Ted? Self defense and camping classes for girls? Maybe honor our veterans? Guitar lessons for the homeless?
Come on. I'm sure you have some creativity left. You don't want to be ranked with Rodman, do you?
These Publicans have reverted from something worthwhile yesteryears TO vulgar mouth disrespectful types. I guess they think like that of us eighty percenters. BUT we have something bigger than money- THE VOTE.
You know, I couldn't stand GW Bush or his policies. He got us into 2 wars that he kept off the books, that cost trillions, and hundreds of thousands of lives, ushered in the Great Recession, started this whole "NSA, TSA, Homeland Security" nonsense, and left office with a 1 trillion per year deficit that people somehow attribute to Obama. Yet, I never called him racist or degrading names or treated him with disrespect, like Republicans do with Obama.
lol worst apology ever.
Nobody but partisans care. The days of gotcha journalism are coming to an end.
Hey we all have to answer for what comes out of our mouths. I could care less what Ted said, just consider the source! There are many racist out there that believe blacks are sub human...Ted just said what was in his heart...