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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Don't be too hard on the man. Ted still suffers from Cat Scratch Fever.
Who is Ted Nugent again? Why should I care what he says about anything?
"I do apologize–not necessarily to the President–but on behalf of much better men than myself"....
I would place that number at about 6 billion.
If anyone can be considered a "subhuman mongrel," it would be that long-haired, teenager-screwing, gun-loving, brainless mutt from Detroit. The man knows how to do 3 things better than most men: play guitar super fast, take advantage of women, and say stupid schitt....and, he does them all without any feeling or conscience. I hope the GOP takes him all around the country on "tour." I'm sure they'll love his antics in the "bible-belt." Wait until he screws everyone's wives and daughters he can get his smelly hands on. A good ol' tar and feathering is just what the motormouth needs.
Dog whistle for all the bigots and racists identify and say what most of these folks think and say among themselves ... Sorry guys god didn't create enough of you idiots to take over this world but just enough to occupy the far right.....
I'm Canadian and the Canada / US hockey semi-final was just written to the history books. Great game. Loved it all.
As far as Ted Nugent goes: DORK
Don't you need to mean it, we all damn well know Mr. Nugent don't care or mean this.
Wow this guy gives a bad image of the tea party an d far right republicans.
Where does he come from ? Has he ever been outside of the US or even Texas ?jajaja
The conservative radicals, Tea Party members, followers of Glen Beck etc. just will not accept the fact that the Democrats won the election. Their tactics will be their demise as the Republicans will surely lose many seats and be defeated soundly in the next Presidential election.........they just don't get it as they are so far off base of mainstream America.
That was an apology? Go back in your cave Nugent. You are totally irrelevant. You are right, there are a lot of men much better than you. You offend the entire country when you demean the office of the president. Shame on you!
In Order for a repug to get elected to any office in Texas all they have to do is say they are holier than their opponent and that the hate Obama. Any issues confronting the state are just superfluous.
That's not an apology. Chalk up another thing this gun-nut loser can't understand.
Why do we have to resort to name calling at all? If your argument is strong enough, it should be able to stand on it's own merit. If name calling is you have, then you've have already lost the argument.
How soon you forget.......Do you not remember the vile comments made about President George W. Bush? Where were all the sensitive liberals then (who are now complaining of disrespecting the President)? Hypocrites all!
Ironically, I'm posting to say who cares what this dimwit has to say about anything.
I have to wonder why anyone cares what a pants crapping draft dodging fool mutters. Why is this idiot consuming the airwaves?
Excellent observation @Michael. Let's not forget the other folks in the GOP who occupy the same space as Nugent as Democratic assets, like Palin, Bachmann, Romney, Paul, etc.
Go on, Ted. Keep on spouting off your mouth and 'apologizing' afterwards.
You are the best recruiting tool the Democrats have.
Much better men than himself? That leaves the door pretty open.
Isn't he supposed to be dead or in prison by now?
I apologize for Ted Nugent. He is not one of us either. He is political comedy. HaHa. Next.
Turd should be deported!
Ted tried to become a "Wind Talker" using code words. A. "This guy is a blood brother" means that this guys is white and thinks like a true white guy. B "That Chimpanzee" mean that the other guys is black and acts like a black guy, C. "That guy is a subhuman Mongrel" mean that he is really black, Next week he will try and use the work "Thug" knowing it is the new "N" Word. Why name call when you can just use that facts Ted?
As if we were all on the edge of our seats waiting to see what he says next. Some peoples kids
Wait a minute... Didn't Nugent promise to kill himself if President Obama got re-elected?
What about it, Ted? Do you have the backbone to keep your own word?
Keep your promise. Take one of those guns of yours, walk into your bedroom and do the right thing.
If you want to impress me, keep your word. Otherwise, you're just another washed-up, right wing nut.
Ted Nugent described how he sat in his own excrement for a month before reporting for his physical for the Vietnam draft this way, "“I was a walking, talking hunk of human poop,” recalled Nugent."
Apparently, he hasn't changed a bit.