Bush Believes Palmeiro

Juiced
From DNC Research:
Today, it was announced that Baltimore Orioles first baseman Rafael Palmeiro was being suspended for ten days due to violations of Major League Baseball's new anti-doping regulations. Bush was owner of the Texas Rangers when Palmeiro and Jose Canseco played there, and both have been accused of or admitted to taking steroids during that time.

Bush's reaction — as it is whenever one of his buddies gets in trouble, (whether its Rove DeLay or now Palmeiro) — was to completely deny the allegations. Today, the AP reported that Bush sent McClellan out to defend his buddy Palmeiro.

White House spokesman Scott McClellan said President Bush considers Palmeiro "a friend and he believes him" when he says he never intentionally took steroids.

This is the second time Bush has defended players accused of taking steroids. Before throwing out the opening pitch for the Washington Nationals first home game, Bush was interviewed by USA Today , and when asked about his knowledge of steroid use while he was owner of the Texas Rangers he was quoted as saying:

Of course not," said Bush, who added he spent much of his time away from the Rangers in 1994 while running for governor of Texas. "I don't remember any discussion with owners, general managers or managers saying so and so was using steroids. The Canseco allegation about Palmeiro, Rodriguez and Gonzalez was immediately rejected by those guys."

Bush added: "I do know hurling accusations is not good for the game. It's really important for baseball to deal with the subject and it has. During the last two years there has been an honest appraisal. And a public outcry and a lot of exposure. The sport is now beginning to address the issue seriously."

Now Palmeiro joins the ranks of Karl Rove and Tom DeLay, two people who Bush is running interference for — and not exactly a club Palmeiro wants to be in.