Ted Nugent Complicates Republicans' Efforts to be Seen as Reasonable and Mainstream

Many in the Republican Party have proclaimed the need for it to become more mainstream and representative of a majority of Americans if it is ever to win a presidential election again. That effort is being hampered by radical Texas GOP U.S. Representative Steve Stockman, who has invited pro-gun, “loose cannon” former rock star Ted Nugent as his guest for this year’s State of the Union Address.

In 2011, Nugent stated at a National Rifle Association convention, “Next year at this time, I will either be dead or in jail…”(if President Obama were to be re-elected). This brought about an investigation of Nugent by the Secret Service. Nugent noted in the same speech his belief that the president, Vice-President Biden, and former Secretary of State Clinton are “criminals”.  He contends that the government is “wiping its --- with the Constitution” and equated Democrats to coyotes that should be shot.

As for the “Honorable” Representative Stockman, he has referred to Nugent as a "patriot" and threatened to initiate Articles of Impeachment against the president for his proposals to restrict the ability of individuals to amass an arsenal of high-powered weapons and ammunition.

If the Republican Party wishes to retain and burnish its reputation as the party of the extremist, it should foment a close association with those of the ilk of Ted Nugent.