Report: Nugent Show Was Canceled Over Comments

Emails show that plans for a Ted Nugent concert in East Texas were canceled after the shock rocker drew criticism for calling President Barack Obama a "subhuman mongrel."

The Longview News Journal reported Sunday that emails between city officials show the concert was canceled a week after Nugent made headlines for divisive remarks that surfaced while he campaigned with Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott.

The newspaper obtained the emails under open records laws.

Nugent apologized for the Obama slur. But a few days later, a city official sent an email to employees saying that the Longview city manager's office had ordered the concert canceled because of the comments.

The city of Longview paid more than $16,000 to break off negotiations with Nugent.

When asked about the comments during campaign stops, Abbott avoided a direct response, choosing rather to use the same metaphor of his accident for his opinion on re-examining the past.

"I learned at that crucial time in my life — you never look back," said the likely Republican gubernatorial candidate. "...anything that was said in the past — that's in the past," he said. "I've learned ever since then — you just move forward."

Gov. Rick Perry condemned Nugent's remarks, calling them inappropriate.

"I got a problem calling the president a mongrel. I do have a problem with that," said on CNN's "Situation Room" in February. "That is an inappropriate thing to say."

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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