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.
Stick to what you're good at Ted ...baiting and killing helpless animals who can't fight back. I dare you to go fist-to-paw with a Kodiak bear, he'll just make you his subhuman mongrel biotch, now that's a reality show that may draw some viewers.
Stop quoting this subhuman redneck! Let him disappear.
I just hope that Ted Nugent will agree to do all the republican ads from now till 2016....the democrats couldn't have asked for a better representation of the Republican Party......the republicans will have about as much credibility as the KKK.....right now the KKK may have more....it's a toss up.....Texans have to be proud ....the only sub humans are the ones at the rallies he attends....
Wake up America! The only reason the GOP puts up with these idiots is because they distract most lower IQ folks away from the real issue...that the .1% is richer than ever and the middle class is going away because of the policies of the rich. It;s not about guns or religion or abortion. It's about the rich making each other richer, on the backs of the poor and almost extinct middle class.
The critisism of Nugent is way understated. He should be arrested for spreading hate. He's the sub-human without a doubt and the GOP know it.
Subhuman no! Mongrel in the sense of an out of control dog then yes.
I would listen to a racist pedophile but I have better things to do. I hear he really likes his "Depends"
Ted Nugent is a lowlife. He always has been, and he always will be..
"said much worse about George W. Bush"
Nobody ever used anything even remotely as bad as this on Dubya. It ran the gamut, but "subhuman mongrel" was one of the Nazis' favorite terms for the Jews. It's something you try not to repeat out loud even in a history class and just point at the text instead.
@UNcommon Sense
"Its really sad when the people around you are stuck in 1776."
How is that wrong?
@DazzyW
People dont' get to be "mongrels" unless someone (like and idiot, per se) is casting disparaging words. People who believe that people can be mongrels are idiots. If it were a matter of mixed races, that might include more people...oh forget it. People who think like Nugent are idiots.
he is the best friend democrats have lol .. wouldnt surprise me if the democrats are not paying him under the table ... they can't buy a better campaigner for the other side ..
Teddy boy, please come to my house. I will gladly help you put a sock in it. If you are the poster child for the gun lobby, I think that they have hired something akin to a pedophile.
What Nugent meant to say was "I have no intent to sell any recordings be they past, present or future and I'm never going to tour again...with anyone."
Rudy NYC
Steve miller
Now let's get apologies from liberal name-calling of Quayle, Bush, Cheney, Christie, and hundreds of other conservatives.
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Apologies? From whom? Name the politician or liberal, and what was you think that they have said.
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Well then of course there's Ed Schultz who called Laura Ingraham the 4-letter "S" word...
Jeez Louise Ted, you make yourself look like a fool.
Racists never feel that they say racist things. They really believe that they are simply stating facts and that any intelligent person would agree with them. There is no logic in hate because it is based on fear. Republicans on the far right seem to feel that they are the victims of the evil communist liberals who try to take away their freedoms. I can't figure out what these freedoms are and don't understand how being tolerant of your fellow citizens will make you less free. I never met a person who identified themselves as a "liberal" and I have never met someone who is from the "Tea Party" who wasn't racist. I also never met anyone who was screaming about their rights and cared about the rights of any one else. Sarah Palin, Ted Nugent, and Rush Limbaugh are used by the Republican party to whip up the racists and ignorant by saying things that agree with but would never say in public. I am very conservative in my values and vote as an Inependent but this type of situation will make me more likely to vote for a Democrat than a Republican who hates most of the people in this country. Just remember – Obama is fixin' to take our guns and freedom, he's just waitin for the right time.
To say that African Americans have nothing to be concerned about when it comes to race and racism in America is wrong. Ted Nugent said out loud what many European Americans believe and discuss in private. By the following he has and a politician using him on the campaign is obvious we still have a long way to go.
and the GOP wonders why it has image problems – Nugent is a nutjob. I hope they all campaign with him, let him speak at the convention.
Ted Nugent is for to laugh.
He's nothing more than that drunk uncle who shows up for Christmas once a year; steals money from you, scares the children, kicks the dog, and blacks out drunk in the bathtub until New Year's.
heeheeheeheee!
Who is Ted Nugent?
I am so glad Ted Nugent isn't in Michigan anymore. I feel safer knowing the worst of the
whacko right wing are all in one state, Texas, where I can keep an eye on them.
Rudy NYC
Steve miller
Now let's get apologies from liberal name-calling of Quayle, Bush, Cheney, Christie, and hundreds of other conservatives.
--––
Apologies? From whom? Name the politician or liberal, and what was you think that they have said?
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Then there's the sewage that comes out of Bill Maher's mouth every time he mentions Sarah Palin...
after being investigated by the Secret Service once Nugent now needs to spend time in prison ..if you claim to hate and want the demise of the president then pretend you were just joking or misinterpreted you then make more hate filled remarks ..you can be held and tried on charges of attempted Assination even though you do not come in contact with the president
"...and this administration has demonstrated an incredible hostility to the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens," Cruz said.
I challenge anyone to point out anything the President has said or done that demonstrates anything of the kind. There are currently FEWER federal restrictions on gun ownership than there have been in years, but somehow the Republicans are able to eke out of this the lie that Obama is trying to take everyone's guns away from them.
It's an awesome piece of spin, but it's false to its core.