Rand Paul: Nugent should apologize for 'offensive' words
(CNN) - Sen. Rand Paul says Ted Nugent owes President Barack Obama an apology.
Paul tweeted Thursday night that
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In an interview last month with Guns.com, Nugent referred the President as a "sub-human mongrel." Those comments were back in the media spotlight after the 1970s and 1980's rock star and outspoken conservative activist appeared earlier this week on the campaign trail with Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, the likely GOP gubernatorial nominee.
The Republican senator from Kentucky isn't the only possible 2016 GOP White House contender to comment on Nugent's comments, but appears to be the first to call on Nugent to apologize.
Asked by CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer Thursday in an interview "The Situation Room" about Nugent, longtime Texas Gov. Rick 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 Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas 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.
CNN Political Editor Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report
Can someone plaese show a comment from Nugent that was racist? I think Nugent is a waste of time, but I`ve heard much worse about past potus.
I don't listen to Ted Nuggent. He is third rate guitarist at best.
Mr. Paul is right of course o the apology, however the fact that Republicans across Texas (including Mr. Cruz) are actively choosing to have this mentally-ill man campaign for them speaks far more about the GOP's true orientation on matters of race.
The GOP as it stands is destined for the political backwater- it will never reach out to minorities, gays, and women. As it piles up ever greater losses with those populations, it needs to remember its dalliances with the Ted Nugents, Rush Limbaughs, and other extremists it chooses to hang with now because they are precisely why as a party they are doomed- Apologies or no.
Actions speak louder than words. And Donna, people criticize Bush for his actions. You know like unfunded wars, millions losing their jobs. Not for his race. There isn't a word anyone could call any white person that would even come close to what Nugent said.
Spare me the false equivalence.
the republican party will not be relevant until it cleans house and shows that it can come up with solid ideas. This use of nut jobs tv commentators and crazy rock stars will not increase their popularity. They have become a laughing stock and a threat to gay's women and the poor and middle class. Vote them all out
Rand is about 3 for 3 now. Drug sentencing, allowing ex-cons to vote and this. He'd better get out real quick and erode some minorities civil rights or he'll be branded a RINO.
Tom, I have given Rand SOME credit. I do think he at the very least feels a certain way about rights. I think his views about how far those rights are extended, but he does at least apply them fairly.
nuge is an idiot and a racist and rand is either on the fringe one way or the other depending on his convoluted understanding and inner battle to somehow reconcile right wing conservatism and the tea party votes and his old mans libertarian views more suited to 19th century. texas politicians have devolved from lbj and he was sinister enough.
Who listens to anything Nugent has to say??? He wrote a couple of crappy songs that got beat to death on FM, who cares what he thinks about the POTUS??? Why is this guy even in the news???
I LOVE that the only music celebrites the right can conjure up for its side are washed up old sexist one-hit-wonder gun nuts who sing the most cheesiest of all terrible classic rock songs you wish would never come on the radio ever again. Please go away, Ted Nugent, and take your talentless friends Kid Rock, Styx, Meat Loaf, Gene Simmons, Hank Williams Jr., & Alice Cooper with you.