campaign event.

The two gave short shrift to Democratic criticism stemming from Nugent's incendiary comments about President Obama, women political figures and immigrants.

"We don't have to question Greg Abbott's courage – because he invited me here today," Nugent told the crowd at El Guapo's restaurant in Denton. The two were scheduled to appear again later in Wichita Falls.

Nugent called Abbott "the epitome of what our founding fathers wanted as a representative of 'we the people,'" and said Abbott has an understanding of individual rights and has fought "the enemies of these freedoms." He introduced Abbott as "my friend" and "my blood brother."

Abbott called Nugent "a fighter for freedom in this country."

Sen. Wendy Davis, the presumed Democratic nominee, kept up the criticism of the joint appearance in a statement, saying,"Greg Abbott's embrace of Ted Nugent is an insult to every Texan – every man, woman, husband, and father. If this is Greg Abbott's idea of values, it's repulsive."

Nugent said "liberal Democrats ... destroy everything."

"We had a Wendy Davis in Detroit. We had a Wendy Davis in Michigan. Her name was (Gov.) Jennifer Granholm," said Nugent, who's known as the Motor City Madman after his Detroit roots.

Asked about Nugents past comments, Abbott repeatedly said that he was unaware of them, including a 2008 appearance on Fox News in which Nugent was asked if he would want to kill people who come illegally into this country.

"If they're armed, and they're attacking our country, yes," Nugent said then, according to a transcript on Fox News. When it was suggested that