Fed Throws Clemens A Curveball

Former Major League Baseball (MLB) star Roger Clemens testified before the House Oversight and Government Affairs Committee regarding his alleged use of steroids and human growth hormone (HGH) in 2008, now, a federal grand jury has indicted him on perjury, obstruction of Congress and false statement charges.

During his 2008 appearance before Congress, Clemens adamantly denied allegations that he used steroids and HGH.  Despite testimony from his former trainer, Brian McNamee, and a report by former Sen. George Mitchell that alluded to Clemens using banned substances at points in his career, the 7-time Cy Young winner stood his ground and repeatedly refused ever using banned substances, a stance Clemens still stands by today.

“I never took HGH or steroids. And I did not lie to Congress,” Clemens said in a statement posted on the website Twitter. “I look forward to challenging the government’s accusations, and hope people will keep an open mind until trial. I appreciate all the support I have been getting. I am happy to finally have my day in court.”

Clemens’ lawyer, Rusty Hardin, said Thursday it was only a matter of time the indictment materialized and that Clemens new it was coming.

“Roger has known from the very beginning that if he chose to publicly deny the accusations in the Mitchell report, that this day would come,” Hardin said.

Clemens retired from baseball in 2007 after 24 years of playing for the Houston Astros, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Yankees. He is arguably one of the best pitchers in MLB history, being the first to win seven Cy Young awards.

White House Gaggle

Briefer: Dana Perino

President’s Schedule
President Bush had his normal briefings this morning. At 9:55 am, he will meet with the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic in the Oval Office of the White House. The two leaders are expected to discuss cooperation on missile defense and the visa waiver program. President Bush will also thank the Prime Minister and the people of the Czech Republic for their commitment in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
This afternoon at 2.10 pm, the President will meet the Special Envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference. At 3.05 pm, President Bush participates in a photo opportunity and makes remarks to the Boston Red Sox.
White House Press Secretary Dana Perino will brief the press at 12.30 pm today.

Iraq
Perino was asked about Iraq’s presidential council has rejected a measure to setting up provincial election, how much this setback with this is, and she replied that their government system has an option of veto similar to ours. We would have liked to go forward without any complications, but this is democracy at work, in Iraq, Perino stated. Perino also answered to the question of General Petreus next visit to Washington, which looks like the week of April 7th, 2008.
House Bill on PETFAR

Today, the House is bringing up a markup bill on PETFAR (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) for $ 50 billion, whereas the President supports $ 30 billion, and Perino was asked why not the higher level of spending; and she said that whenever you are starting up a new system like we have with PETFAR, it takes a while for countries and governments to scale up and spend the money that you give them. “We believe that $ 30 billon is the right amount of money that could be effectively used by these governments to tackle the HIV/AIDS problems,” Perino said and continued, “We don’t think it is smart to send additional American tax payer dollars that will sit there and not be used, or be used ineffectively or in a matter that does not actually fit the mission.”
Senator Clinton’s Public Schedule as First Lady

During last night’s debate, Senator Clinton talked about her scheduling records being releases from her time as First Lady. Clinton also mentioned that President Bush claims the right to take a look anything that is released. Perino was asked if the Administration has been approached by the Clintons about the release of such documents and also if there are any reservations on behalf of this. Perino said that she was not very familiar with the Presidential Records Act in regards to former presidents but she will check with the Office of White House Council and get back with more information.
Red Sox and Steroids

Perino was asked if President Bush intents to make any reference to baseball steroid use during his remarks at the afternoon event, and she said that she did not think so.

Major League Baseball Pitcher Roger Clemens Faces House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Regarding Steriod Allegations

During this morning's House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on the illegal use of steroids in Major League Baseball, all-star pitcher Roger Clemens took the mound against Congress, repeatedly denying allegations made by former trainer Brian McNamee that he indeed abused steroids.

Clemens, winner of a record seven Cy Young Award's, opened his testimony by discussing not his gaudy statistics, but instead the grueling work-out regiment and hard work he had used to achieve success. Nicknamed "The Rocket" by fans and analysts, Clemens discussed his community involvement, love for his family, and how "shortcuts were never an option" along his road to superstardom.

McNamee, a former Clemens confidant and a man the pitcher said he used to treat like "family," pressed hard with the bold accusations he made against the hurler. Acknowledging he was, "part of the problem" baseball faced during the late-1990's with steroid use, McNamee cited the fact each of the other two players he claimed to have provided with steroids, former and current New York Yankee's Chuck Knoblauch and Andy Pettite, had admitted his troubling accusations about them were true.

"I have no reason to lie, and every reason not to," said McNamee, with Clemens' legal team convinced otherwise. At one juncture in the hearing, Clemens' attorneys, citing discrepancies in McNamee's argument, actually began yelling from their seats at Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) in defense of Clemens. Clemens claimed he took vitamin B-12 regularly, actually at his mother's advice, while McNamee maintained he injected Clemens illegally with drugs such as winstrol, testosterone, and HGH.

The allegations, which included an affidavit of admitted steroid user Jose Canseco saying he had, "no reason to believe," that Clemens has, "ever used steroids, human growth hormone, or any other performance enhancing drugs," carry heavy legal implications for both Clemens and McNamee. If found guilty of lying under oath, either can be convicted of perjury charges, while the sheer use and distribution of illegal steroids can subject either party to legal penalties as well.