Ted Nugent Scratches his Obama Itch after Speech
As promised, rocker and gun enthusiast Ted Nugent was on his best behavior at President Barack Obama's State of the Union address on Tuesday, but he let loose with some colorful criticism afterward.
It was bizarre enough seeing the provocative Nugent -- who made comments against the president last year that were sufficiently threatening to warrant an investigation by the Secret Service -- at Obama's speech in the Capitol.
But there he was, sitting quietly in a corner of a visitor's gallery on the upper level of the House chamber, a guest of conservative Republican congressman Steve Stockman.
The controversial gun advocate was among many guests invited by lawmakers, including more than two dozen victims of gun violence.
After the hour-long speech, Nugent went barreling through Statuary Hall, dropping f-bombs alongside lawmakers who gathered there according to tradition to offer reactions to reporters on the State of the Union speech.
Asked about Obama's remarks, Nugent, best known for his 1970s hit "Cat Scratch Fever," mimicked a slow yawn before offering his, well, critique.
"Does kiss my ass ring any bells?" drawled the Nuge, who sported a camouflage cowboy hat.
"I'm so excited that someone is going to bring about world peace and save the children," he quipped.
"And thank God he's gonna stop global warming, I was starting to get concerned."
Nugent, who was surrounded by fans wanting a photograph with him, said "spirit and attitude and freedom" were what brought him to hear the speech, but added that he was pained to hear Obama's comments on gun control.
"I've heard this predictable flowery feel-good speech of denial before," Nugent said at one of his many stops in front of the TV cameras.
"It's a scam, and I think it's epitomized by his dishonesty in the overt attempt to infringe on our Second Amendment rights" to bear arms.
Nugent was eventually introduced to a reporter from the Voice of America.
The rocker grinned and interrupted: "I'm sorry, I'm the f---ing voice of America!" he boomed.
Nugent drew the attention of the Secret Service last April when he warned at a National Rifle Association meeting that he would end up "dead or in jail" if Obama was reelected.
Source: Agence France Presse
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