Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) again commented on rocker Ted Nugent's controversial remark that President Barack Obama is a "subhuman mongrel," saying he didn't think Nugent's comment was racist.
In February, Perry said he "wouldn't have used those words" but said he didn't take offense. During an interview with "Political Capital with Al Hunt" while visiting the 2014 Conservative Political Action Conference on Friday, Perry compared Nugent's remark to an earlier statement from President Bill Clinton.
"I don’t think [Nugent] was a racist –- I don’t think it was -– matter of fact, I don’t think it was as racist as what President Clinton said to Ted Kennedy trying to get him to help his wife in the ‘08 election when he said, 'You know what, Ted? A few years back this guy was carrying our bags,'" Perry said.
Nugent made the comment about Obama in January 2014, and apologized for the remark in late February.
"I do apologize -- not necessarily to the President -- but on behalf of much better men than myself," Nugent said, calling the comments "streetfighter terminology."
"I apologize for using the term," Nugent 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."
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