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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It isn't even an apology. He can stuff it in his self-defecated pants ...the same ones he wore so as not to have to defend our country. What a patriot!
It's not like these statements are going to hurt his musical career.
That ended a long, long time ago.
He reminds me of an old coot, sitting on his porch, yelling at the
neighborhood kids.
Way to tune up your legacy, has-been.
Ted Nugent is just another angry white man who is actually close to Subhuman mongrel
You are known by the company you keep. And a buch of wordy non-apology ain't foolin' no around here.
Ted wishes his thinking was as classic as his music.
Did he apologize to the teen girls?
"Asked by CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer Thursday in an interview "The Situation Room" about Nugent, longtime Perry said "The idea that Ted Nugent has said something that's outrageous shouldn't surprise anybody."
He's been Perry as long as we've known him.
"rock star" you must have Nugent confused with someone else.
Great job Ted Nugent !
Nugent is such a clown. If he were sock puppeting for the Democrats, how he would act would be completely indistinguishable from how he acts now.
Great job, Republicans. Keep it up.
The rethugs have NO CHANCE in 2016. So resorting to name calling on this level is how low class, about to be losers retaliate. Not that I'm name calling or anything....lol
If you think like this clown, please get used to people loathing you. Being conservative is one thing. Being a belligerent sensationalist hasnt worked yet and it will only lose ground in the future. Nugent and Beck should look to Bill O seriously. I know we dont agree on much of life but I feel Id have a decent convo with him over a beer or Whiskey (Irish here too) . Where with Nugent Id just expect snide comments and insults which would result in me demolishing a pedo. draft dodger. ROFL the Republican champ is a pedo draft dodger. HA!
In case anyone wonders, his bass player was the singer and made the band work. Eric St something or other. When he left, Nugent's career ended. And he's going to end in jail if someone he respects doesn't get him some treatment. When the Secret Service asks you to tone it down, you need to pay attention. At some point they are legally required to respond to a threat, even if their private opinion is that Ted is just hot air. I think that if Ted were ever put in Gitmo, he would like to be able to say it was unfair or discriminatory instead of just admitting he shouldn't have made threats.
Nugent has always been an aszwipe.
"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."
Hopefully Perry's not teaching you those three agencies he would get rid of, Uncle Ped....That is, if he could remember them..
that's not an apology. he's just intentionally fanning the flames.
Keep talking Ted. Right up until the election when Hillary shows your intellectually deprived mind how the democrats kick republican butt once no twice no three times again.
Nugent promised that he would either leave the US or kill himself if Obama was reelected in 20012.
A whole lot of us are still waiting.
You must be kidding to carry this as a story. It's grossly offensive.
If all the hateful weasels were sent over niagara falls in a barrel, the republican party would be an empty echoing place.
Much like the inside of ted nugent's head.
Gee, it's a step up from his last outburst during the big 2012 campaign when he uttered a veiled threat of assassination, enough to bring the authorities to his door. If the right wing candidates and/or the GOP enlist the likes of Ted Nugent to enhance their campaign, what does that tell you about the candidates themselves? There seems to be no end of Ted's hatred for the POTUS, or maybe he just hates himself and the fact that he is not really relevant in music or in politics.
"I do apologize–not necessarily to the President–but on behalf of much better men than myself."
What does this even mean? To whom is he apologizing if not to the President? The men who are better than him didn't say this and therefore don't have anything for which to apologize. I suppose he is trying to give him something to stand on for associating with him at all.
wonder what is in the center of his mind?
Oh yeah, like that'll make it all better. What a dirt bag.
Nugent the Motor Mouth Madman likes to think hes some kind of tough guy from the far rights lunatic fringe reminding us every 10 seconds that he owns guns & loves to hunt. The only thing he loves more than that is running his mouth without knowing what hes saying & mistaking racist slurs as political conscience. He never apologizes for it out of any moral reasons, rather he gets backhanded by some left wing group & sobs out yet another apology for his ignorance.
@whoever wrote on another story about nugent being such a saint.
He can't even apologize to the people he has insulted because how does a has been never really was make money.
He has called Democrat women running for office varmints, dirty pigs and dirty &hores and Hillary a &itch!
He just called our president a subhuman mongrel.
This is what the teaklans/repugs masses want to hear and believe and why texas politicians, including rafaelito, are inviting him to palaround with him. Why else would the screecher feel left out and have to put her two cents in?