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.
From CNN Politics
- Florida legislature passes bill allowing carry of concealed weapons without a permit
- 10 Cards Charging 0% Interest Until 2024
- Untitled
- Manhattan DA's office again slams House GOP's efforts to investigate Trump probe, says approx. $5k federal funds used
- Can Trump still run for president? Your top indictment questions, answered
- Donald Trump has been indicted. Here's what we know
Who is this a whole?
Ted has class and proved it by amending his speech for the good of the Conservative cause. Hat's off to him.
Hey Carol ~ "dummer" huh? Wow. It's dumber, moron.
Nugent = nut job.
AmericansRights whined: "No need to apologize Nuge, obama calls us worse than that all the time."
__________________
Such as? Be specific. Thanks.
Nugent for Governor of Texas, win hands down there would be no contest they love him in Texas.
Where DOES the GOP find these people??
Nugent is a total clown. He's one of those guys that hurts any cause he publicly supports, a walking net loss of credibility.
Ya, well, Nugent is like that......the words come out before he can stop them. You just can't take him any more seriously than Rush, or Hannity or Maddow, O'Reilly, Stephanie Miller, Olbermann and the list goes on.....need to remember they are just talking head entertainers, not journalists.....or really even credible
Stick to a basic short apology without adding anything else onto it and leave it at that. The second you try to add on some sort of clarification or change your wording of attack against someone, the entire thing comes off as backhanded.
Nugent is in loser-mode. A washed-up, has-been, wannabe, ex-faux rocker that no one wants any more. He desperately tries to attract attention but constantly stumbles trying.
I wonder if he pooped his pants when he said this it worked when he was a draft dodger
If he had anything worth saying, he wouldn't have to say it so loud. He's a psychologically unhealthy megalomaniac of average intelligence at best. Bad combo. You won't get anything other than totally absurd out of that.
This guy only helps the Democratic party and shows how utterly ignorant and classless many of the Republican leadership truly is.
I didn't know Ted he was a draft dodger. Now is behavior and lifestyle are clear to me. Just think of what a coward you have to be to purposely poop your pants in a effort to avoid being drafted.
Ted Nugent is who Republicans ARE. It's pathetic.
When Ted is used as a poster child for a political party they deserve what they get.
This guy is like Palin – just trying to stay relevant. Sad.
So, Ted apologies for using the term because he needs to learn about "politics". Clearly he still feels the same way and has no intention of apologizing to the person he was rude about. Way to be a man Ted, note sarcasm.
If you feel the way you do...OWN it.
Ted Nugent and his fellow Tea Partiers are the best anti-Republican advertisements money can buy!
Dear Ted: Good work! Stay close to Cruz. Check is in the mail! Thanks, DNC
I am offended to see Nugent in that hat. Those of us who served in the Vietnam War based in other countries wore those hats.
Nugent is a draft-dodger.
I am truly shocked and dismayed that in this supposed modern age a perverse, uneducated, violent cretin like Nugent is given a platform. It sickens me that he thinks he is part of the human race.
What's most offensive about these politicians is the length they will go to overstate their case, to the point of outright lies. Saying 'this administration has demonstrated an incredible hostility to second amendment rights' is not at all accurate. If anything, they meekly surrendered even after a massacre of elementary school children. Reasonable gun control does approach the level of 'incredible hostility' and is in no way a threat to the second amendment.
Why even give that sleaze ball a platform?
All you liberals are mad because Ted Nugent insulted the President (again). Yet people hung GWB in effigy and burned him in this country. They compared GWB to Hitler, hell there were caricatures of GWB as Hitler. You can't do that to Obama, ohhhh nooo. It'd be racist. I've read worse things about the President in these discussion boards. Worse things have been said about GWB, but noone gets up in arms about it. Turnabout is fair play. Liberals have such thin skin.
welcome to the land of Tea party politics ..Nugent a leader for the Haters in America
My Mom taught me GOOD MANNERS. Fox News, Rush Limbaugh & Ted Nugent are teaching others that it's OK to be mean & ugly to folks with whom you have political disagreements. These guys say they long for the 1950s. They ought start with their own potty mouths.