Cruz, Palin weigh in on Abbott, Nugent

AUSTIN — The national spotlight still is on Attorney General Greg Abbott inviting rocker Ted Nugent along for a couple of stops in his campaign for governor, with a focus on Nugent's past behavior and incendiary comments including his description of President Barack Obama as a “subhuman mongrel.”

State Sen. Wendy Davis — the Democrat whom the Republican attorney general is presumed to face in November after they snag their party nods — and others in her party have been unrelenting in their criticism of Abbott's decision.

CNN sought to get comment from Abbott at a Tyler stop. After saying the appearance was meant to “expose” Davis on Second Amendment issues, Abbott declined to answer further questions. At one point, Abbott spokesman Avdiel Huerta stepped in to prevent further questions.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz also was quizzed about the appearance on CNN, which played Nugent's “subhuman mongrel” clip for him.

Ted Nugent speaks at a campaign event for Greg Abbott at El Guapo's restaurant in Denton on February 18, 2014. Ted Nugent speaks at a campaign event for Greg Abbott at El Guapo's restaurant in Denton on February 18, 2014. Photo: For The San Antonio Express-News Photo: For The San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 39 Caption Close Cruz, Palin weigh in on Abbott, Nugent 1 / 39 Back to Gallery

Cruz, who once worked in Abbott's office and has praised him, said that he hadn't seen the video before.

“I would be willing to bet that the president's Hollywood friends have said some pretty extreme things,” he said.

When further questioned, Cruz said, “Those sentiments there, of course I don't agree with them. You've never heard me say such a thing, nor would I.

“I will note, there's a reason Ted Nugent, people listen to him, which is that he has been fighting passionately for Second Amendment rights.”

Asked if he would campaign with Nugent, Cruz said, “I haven't yet and I'm going to avoid engaging in hypotheticals.”

Abbott and Nugent both received support from former vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin.

Urging that voters “check the box” for Abbott, Palin wrote on her Facebook page that he “has overcome many personal obstacles and challenges, which have made him a believer in the power of liberty and the need to defend our freedoms from the overreach of an out-of-control federal government. If he is good enough for Ted Nugent, he is good enough for me!”