Activists want Texas gubernatorial hopeful to cut ties with Ted Nugent

AUSTIN (Legal Newsline) – An activist group wants Texans to tell Attorney General Gregg Abbott, a Republican candidate for governor, to cut his ties with the often-flamboyant rocker Ted Nugent.

Earlier this week, Left Action, a network of activists fighting for progressive causes, released a press release asking people to sign a petition telling Abbott to shun the rock star.

The press release says Nugent will be making a series of appearances for Abbott, in spite of a record of actions that includes:

• Describing President Obama as a “subhuman mongrel”;

• Describing various female political leaders using terms such as “brain-dead soulless idiot,” “varmints,” “fat pigs” and “dirty whores”; and

• Waving a gun on stage, while shouting threats that President Obama should “suck on my machine gun,” followed by, “Hey Hillary, you might want to ride one of these into the sunset, you worthless bitch.”

According to the press release, Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa said, “Texans deserve better than a statewide office holder and candidate running for governor who welcomes Ted Nugent and his repugnant comments. I can’t help but recall the old saying, tell me who your friends are, and I’ll tell you who you are.”

Left Action contends Abbott’s campaign has tried to have it both ways, with spokesman Matt Hirsch first derisively attacking those who criticized Nugent as, “people who hate freedom,” and then later backtracking and saying, “While he may sometimes say things or use language that Greg Abbott would not endorse or agree with, we appreciate the support of everyone who supports protecting our Constitution,” the press release says.

“It doesn’t work that way,” the press release states. “You can’t say you disagree with someone and try to create distance by saying you merely ‘appreciate their support’ on the one hand, and then put them forward as a prominent spokesperson at a series of events.

“Either Abbott feels comfortable with Nugent’s horrible track record and repugnant comments, or he will cut his ties with Nugent and cancel the campaign appearances.”

 

From Legal Newsline: Reach David Yates at elections@legalnewsline.com.