Obama Differs With McCain on Steroids

[Carlos_E]

By Ben Pershing

Sen. Barack Obama appeared to take a swipe at Sen. John McCain's activism on the subject of steroids in sports this morning, suggesting that the topic should not be a high priority for Congress or the federal government.

Appearing on ESPN Radio's "Mike & Mike in the Morning" program, Obama did not mention the Arizonan by name. But the Democratic presidential nominee did make clear that he would steer a different course than McCain has in the past when he was asked "how much government should be involved with sports and performance-enhancing drugs."

"I gotta admit that seeing a lot of congressional hearings around steroid use is not probably the best use of congressional time," Obama said.

McCain has long been closely identified with efforts on the Hill to expose steroid use in baseball. In 2004, when McCain was chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, his panel held a high-profile hearing on the subject, and McCain's scrutiny helped force Major League Baseball owners to implement a new drug-testing policy.

McCain said the following year that the league "can't be trusted" to handle the issue on its own, and threatened to write legislation cracking down on performance-enhancing drugs. A House committee also held highly publicized hearings on steroids in baseball in 2007.

But Obama suggested this morning there were more important things on which the government should focus.

"Kids are watching sports. They're modeling themselves on athletes," Obama said. "It's a serious problem, but it's one that you want to see the leagues themselves handle in a more appropriate way. We've got nuclear weapons and a financial meltdown to worry about. We shouldn't be worrying about steroids as much as I think sometimes we do."

Obama campaign spokesman Tommy Vietor said the Democrat's comments were not intended as a dig at McCain.

"Senator Obama has been saying this [about steroids] for years," Vietor said. "We face a big set of challenges, from the economy to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, that the government should be focusing on."

The McCain campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Although he says government should be more hands-off on steroids, Obama did suggest other sports areas in which his administration might meddle.

"I would have my attorney general investigate the possibility of instituting a college football playoff system through executive order. I'm tired of this nonsense at the end of every college football season," Obama said.

"Thank you! Thank you!" yelled co-host Mike Golic.

On the NFL, Obama also made clear that he was opposed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers playing in a domed stadium. "Unless you're in Minnesota or Wisconsin you're not allowed to have a dome," he said, suggesting, tongue firmly in cheek, he would pass a law to formalize that policy.

Obama's beloved Chicago White Sox have Game 1 of their playoff series today, and the Democrat seemed to hesitate when asked whether he would watch that game or tonight's vice presidential debate between Sen. Joe Biden and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. "Biden might be listening," Obama joked, before confirming that he would in fact watch the debate. (Fortunately for Obama, the White Sox play at 2:30 p.m. ET, more than six hours before the debate is scheduled to start.)

Obama also revealed that he would continue his tradition of past election days by playing pickup basketball on Nov. 4.

"No doubt about it," he said. "On Election Day, you gotta have a game. ... I haven't been playing lately, because I figure if I show up with a broken nose or a missing tooth during the debate that might not be so good. But I figure on Election Day it's too late. By that time everybody will have made up their minds so it doesn't matter if I get hurt."

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the...mccains_s.html

[Carlos_E]

Hmm... No mention of Biden.

[Amorphic]

yeah i was going to say what does biden think of this all.

[Carlos_E]

yeah i was going to say what does biden think of this all.

So were Biden and McCain both in on the steroid hearings?

[Kratos]

Biden's been a pretty heavy hitter in the war on steroids. Esp beween his work on the anabolic control act of 1990 and Anabolic steroid control act of 2004. Interesting post though, I think a lot of American's agree that holding baseball hearings is not the job of congress, basball needs to regulate itself. I found it kind of ironic the comittee holding the hearing on Rodger Clemens is in place to be sort of a watch dog for wasteful spending.

[Amorphic]

Biden's been a pretty heavy hitter in the war on steroids. Esp beween his work on the anabolic control act of 1990 and Anabolic steroid control act of 2004. Interesting post though, I think a lot of American's agree that holding baseball hearings is not the job of congress, basball needs to regulate itself. I found it kind of ironic the comittee holding the hearing on Rodger Clemens is in place to be sort of a watch dog for wasteful spending.

yeah it basically defines wasteful spending, not to mention its only focused on baseball. how did the nfl avoid congress jumping down their throats with investigations?

[Amorphic]

So were Biden and McCain both in on the steroid hearings?

[Kratos]

yeah it basically defines wasteful spending, not to mention its only focused on baseball. how did the nfl avoid congress jumping down their throats with investigations?

Jose Cansaco wrote that book, and I think it kinda forced action if I were to take a guess why they went after baseball.

[VeraDeMilo]

Yeah, I think Obama can take a back seat on this issue because of his VP candidates well publicizes opinions on this matter. I do, as I am sure all of you do, agree with Obama that there are more important ways for congress to spend their time, money and energy.

With Biden, many people speculate that his aggressive assault on anabolic steroid use in this country stems back to his short-comings in athletics. He uses anabolic steroids as the excuse why he never successfully made it to the next level of athletics, saying the players that made it over him were aided by steroids and thats the only reason.

Here is an article Biden wrote right before the Congressional Hearings. It was publish in the Hartford Courant on March 7, 2005.




Time To Knock Steroids Out Of The Park
By Joseph R. Biden

"Two important hearings regarding illegal steroids are scheduled this week. One will feature some of the biggest stars in Major League Baseball coming to Capitol Hill. The other will focus on kids from Daniel Hand High School in Madison who were caught with illegal performance-enhancing drugs.

Although the baseball hearings will generate more headlines, the student athlete scandal should set off more alarm bells.

The teenagers arrested in Connecticut, who ranged in age from 14 to 17, were members of the baseball, football and track teams. An observant teacher noticed one of the boys allegedly selling steroids during class. The students involved have been suspended or expelled. And three of them could be sentenced to up to seven years in prison on steroid possession and dealing charges.

None of the millionaire pro ballplayers called to testify are likely to face any jail time. In fact, some who have admitted using steroids have asked for immunity deals.

Many believe we should have more important things to investigate than Major League Baseball. To a certain extent, I agree: This is clearly not the No.1 issue facing Congress.

But congressional hearings on baseball's steroids scandal are hardly a trivial pursuit. Our national pastime faces questions more serious than the legitimacy of modern-day home run records. High school athletes, like those in Madison, watch their sports heroes bend and even break the rules, and they believe their own success may depend on emulating the pros.

To those who don't believe an athlete influences the habits of his or her fans, consider this: When Mark McGwire admitted he used androstenedione during his home run record-breaking season, sales of the product soared.

What happened at Daniel Hand High School happens all too often at other schools across the country. Recent studies show that nearly three-quarters of kids say they admire and want to be just like professional athletes, and more than half believe pros use steroids to win. The Centers for Disease Control says about 1 million school-age athletes have used anabolic steroids.

Steroid users of all ages believe it will make them stronger, but they ignore the serious health hazards. It puts people at greater risk for heart attacks and strokes, increases aggressiveness, stunts growth and can cause liver and kidney damage. Many of these side effects are irreversible.

Yet, many pro baseball players remain cavalier.

Baseball's new steroid-testing agreement is a good first step toward cleaning up the game, but it doesn't go far enough. Baseball needs a testing system as credible as the one run by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency for the Olympics.

If baseball really wants to knock steroids out of the park, the players and owners should do four things:

Close loopholes in the current agreement, which allow first-time offenders to pay a small fine of up to $10,000 instead of imposing a 10-day suspension.
The players should go back to the negotiating table and accept a genuinely tough, credible testing program that includes all known masking agents.
Players and owners should fund a program to teach kids that using performance-enhancing drugs is dangerous, and that cheating is intolerable.
Stay a step ahead of the dopers by funding independent research to uncover the latest designer steroids.
These are things baseball could do in conjunction with other pro sports leagues. In fact, other professional sports leagues and their players associations should take a good, hard look at what is happening to baseball and learn from its mistakes.

The NFL has a decent testing system, but there is room for improvement. The NBA's drug-testing system is definitely lagging.

The BALCO steroid scandal proved that athletes who can make millions are willing to spend thousands to gain an edge and not get caught. It is time for all pro sports in America to get in line with the high standards of the Olympics.

Steroids and other illegal drugs are not just baseball's problem, and steroid use by high school athletes isn't just Daniel Hand High School's problem. This truly is a national problem, and the seriousness and urgency with which athletes, owners, educators, parents and community leaders confront it will speak volumes about the kind of society in which we want to live and the values we cherish.

U.S. Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr., D-Del., wrote the 1990 law making steroid trafficking illegal and the 2004 law banning andro and THG."

[warchild]

very interesting read Carlos. I never knew what Obama's stand on steroids were until now.

[Carlos_E]

I look at it this way. The president leads. If steroids is not an important issue for Obama, I doubt he would allow Biden to pursue it. On the other hand if McCain wins, he will be the president. If he has a hard on for steroids like George Bush then the demonizing of steroids will continue.

[VeraDeMilo]

I look at it this way. The president leads. If steroids is not an important issue for Obama, I doubt he would allow Biden to pursue it. On the other hand if McCain wins, he will be the president. If he has a hard on for steroids like George Bush then the demonizing of steroids will continue.

Carlos, do you have any articles that you can link that quote any statements that John McCain has made on the steroid issue in the last year? I ask, because I can not find any.

John McCains biggest push on the steroid issue was back in 2004-2005 right after he lost the republican presidential nomination to George Bush. It was speculated that he, at the time, went after this issue so vigorously in order to keep his name in a public spotlight and set the path for the possibility of running for president in the 08 election. And what bigger of a platform than a congressional hearing of major league baseball "americas past time."
I have not really heard much out of him on this topic since, which is why I believe he used it as a platform to keep himself in the national spotlight.

Someone like Biden, on the other hand, who may not be the next president, but WILL be the 2nd most powerful man in the nation, has deep seeded, one sided, life long opinions and stances on this issue. And has has made public stances on it for over 20 years. He was a key factor in the passage of the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 1990 and authored the Anabolic Steroid control act of 2004.

Again, I am having trouble finding much on McCain and this issue since 2005 and never heard of any position or statements made by McCain before 2004.
Thats not to say that this information doesn't exist, but I am having a hard time finding any, so if any one has links to articles, please post them. Thanks

[spywizard]

and yet biden is the worst case scenario.. but it's an old article, maybe he's changed since august 08

Joseph Biden Criminalized Anabolic Steroids with Harsher Penalties for Steroid Users

Posted on 13:02 August 26th, 2008 by Millard Baker

[IMG]http://www.****morphosis.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/angry-biden.jpg[/IMG]

Advocates of steroid law reform are very disappointed that Democratic presidential candidate Barrack Obama selected Senator Joseph Biden as his vice presidential nominee. Senator Biden was the chief architect of the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 1990 that criminalized the possession of anabolic steroids for non-medical purposes. Biden also wrote the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2004 which opened the door for significantly harsher penalties for steroid possession and steroid distribution; this has resulted in the increased prosecution of steroid users over the past few years who are treated as dangerous criminals with the worst penalties for the non-medical use of steroids in history. Senator Biden has been on his anti-steroid crusade for almost two decades.
Steroid law expert Rick Collins revealed in testimony to the United States Sentencing Commission that the typical non-medical steroid users has been misrepresented to the public and to legislators.

The “typical” steroid user has been presented as fitting one of two profiles: either the million dollar sports star, or the hapless teenager seeking to emulate him…
The overwhelming majority were gainfully employed, health conscious adult males, between 25 and 45 years of age, using hormones not for athletic performance but to improve their appearance. These users typically are non-smokers who follow exercise routines including both strenuous weight training and cardio programs, and adhere to healthful diets. Do they put too high a premium on superficial appearances? In my opinion, absolutely. Are they overcompensating for underlying self-esteem issues? Perhaps, in many cases. Are they assuming risks that might potentially be harmful to them? Probably, yes, as do smokers, drinkers, and extreme sports enthusiasts. But however misguided we may judge nonmedical users of these hormones to be, I seriously question whether they are the sort of dangerous criminals deserving of extended prison terms…
Their motivation, whether labeled as vanity or an excessive quest for self-improvement, is unlike the motivation that drives the use of every other controlled substance. However misguided steroid use without medical supervision may be, it is long-range, goal-oriented behavior. Steroid users are the virtual antithesis of the typical drug offender.

Yet Senator Joseph Biden had no problem criminalizing anabolic steroid use for gainfully employed, largely white collar, middle class, otherwise law-abiding steroid users. Those who have seen the steroid documentary Bigger Stronger Faster were given a glimpse of Senator Biden’s deep-seated psychological antipathy toward steroid users. Joe Biden is angry he was not good enough to make the baseball team and wants revenge.

Senator Biden has admitted that his anti-steroid zealotry originated with his failure to make the sports team in college; he was certain he was outperformed by some steroid user! As a senator, he has used his power and influence to get back at those superior athletes in sports who may have been using steroids. Of course, he is only figuratively punishing those athletes from his college days by criminalizing anabolic steroids for all individuals who use steroids for non-medical purposes.

Rick Collins sent me an email shortly after the announcement of Biden as Obama’s VP nominee with a link to Radley Balko’s disappointment over the Biden nomination.

Biden has sponsored more damaging drug war legislation than any Democrat in Congress. Hate the way federal prosecutors use RICO laws to take aim at drug offenders? Thank Biden. How about the abomination that is federal asset forfeiture laws? Thank Biden. Think federal prosecutors have too much power in drug cases? Thank Biden. Think the title of a “Drug Czar” is sanctimonious and silly? Thank Biden, who helped create the position (and still considers it an accomplishment worth boasting about). Tired of the ridiculous steroids hearings in Congress? Thank Biden, who led the effort to make steroids a Schedule 3 drug, and has been among the blowhardiest of the blowhards when it comes to sports and performance enhancing drugs. (emphasis added)

[spywizard]

point being when obama is assasinated.. biden will outlaw advil..

[Carlos_E]

point being when obama is assasinated.. biden will outlaw advil..

When? Wishful thinking?

[abbot138]

point being when obama is assasinated.. biden will outlaw advil..

LMAO!!!!! Oh man, thats so wrong, lol.

[Carlos_E]

Carlos, do you have any articles that you can link that quote any statements that John McCain has made on the steroid issue in the last year? I ask, because I can not find any.

John McCains biggest push on the steroid issue was back in 2004-2005 right after he lost the republican presidential nomination to George Bush. It was speculated that he, at the time, went after this issue so vigorously in order to keep his name in a public spotlight and set the path for the possibility of running for president in the 08 election. And what bigger of a platform than a congressional hearing of major league baseball "americas past time."
I have not really heard much out of him on this topic since, which is why I believe he used it as a platform to keep himself in the national spotlight.

Someone like Biden, on the other hand, who may not be the next president, but WILL be the 2nd most powerful man in the nation, has deep seeded, one sided, life long opinions and stances on this issue. And has has made public stances on it for over 20 years. He was a key factor in the passage of the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 1990 and authored the Anabolic Steroid control act of 2004.

Again, I am having trouble finding much on McCain and this issue since 2005 and never heard of any position or statements made by McCain before 2004.
Thats not to say that this information doesn't exist, but I am having a hard time finding any, so if any one has links to articles, please post them. Thanks

I'll search and see what I can find.

[green22]

point being when obama is assasinated.. biden will outlaw advil..

Thats pathetic, you sound like some of the redneck ****s I work with.

[Amorphic]

Thats pathetic, you sound like some of the redneck ****s I work with.

a little low brow i have to agree. sometimes i wonder though, there are some crazy people out there.

[abbot138]

Thats pathetic, you sound like some of the redneck ****s I work with.

Oh I wasnt agreeing with the comment at all. I love Obama, I think he's the best candidate weve had in a while, I dont care if hes black, green, orange, or blue.....and yes Amorphic sadly in our country i could def see it happening.

[Kratos]

You can bet Sara Palin isn't thinking about steroid use...cause that would mean she is thinking.

[Amorphic]

You can bet Sara Palin isn't thinking about steroid use...cause that would mean she is thinking.

hehhh

[abbot138]

You can bet Sara Palin isn't thinking about steroid use...cause that would mean she is thinking.

LMAO!!!! You just made my day.

[Ernst]

Oh, is this one of the issues where he doesn't just say, "I agree with Senator McCain"?

[warchild]

if biden has pushed for harder penalties for aas then how do we know he wont influence obama? just cause obama says that now doesn't mean he will later.

[warchild]

if he wanted to say legalize anabolics he would have my vote and the million other users of juice

[KingTenderloin]

point being when obama is assasinated.. biden will outlaw advil..

Obama gets to heaven, St. Peter asks who are you? I'm President Obama, the first black President of the United States. wow the 1st black president?......when did they elect you?? Obama says oh about 20 minutes ago.

[warchild]

Obama gets to heaven, St. Peter asks who are you? I'm President Obama, the first black President of the United States. wow the 1st black president?......when did they elect you?? Obama says oh about 20 minutes ago.

holy shit, thats funny

[Carlos_E]

You can bet Sara Palin isn't thinking about steroid use...cause that would mean she is thinking.

Man, I'm making my workout at the gym short so I can get home in time for the debate tonight.

[Carlos_E]

holy shit, thats funny

No, it's not.

[warchild]

carlos im not a racist, if you re offended i do apologize.

[PT]

Thats pathetic, you sound like some of the redneck ****s I work with.

everybody has there own opinion but lets not insult anyone for it. this is why i never speak politcal on the board

[j4ever41]

No, it's not.

Agree,whats up with all this assasination crap? Anyway if congress wants to have hearings on something it don't matter who is president

[bigt10]

Haha well the reality here is the government only seeks more power.

And the power to create money corrupts. Their absolute power corrupts absolutetly.

If we had gold and the only way to fund the government was to tax and they had no money creating power we wouldn't be talking about policing steroids in the MLB because people wouldn't stand to waste money on shit like that.

Hey does anyone remember ron paul?

No real problems can be fixed into this country until we have sound money and until the government takes away the power to create money.

The government can do anything it chooses aslong as it has no limits on their budget. Aslong as other countries keep buying our debt and we can keep borrowing, printing, without repaying or without suffering serious inflation this game of musical chairs will go on forever.

But one day the music will stop playing. I cant wait till the day the government cant afford to waste time and resources on such stupid things at steroids.

The government cant be the moral police officer. Policing harmless drugs is a waste of resources and tax payer money, whether its paid by tax or tax by inflation makes no difference.

[Carlos_E]

Carlos, do you have any articles that you can link that quote any statements that John McCain has made on the steroid issue in the last year? I ask, because I can not find any.

John McCains biggest push on the steroid issue was back in 2004-2005 right after he lost the republican presidential nomination to George Bush. It was speculated that he, at the time, went after this issue so vigorously in order to keep his name in a public spotlight and set the path for the possibility of running for president in the 08 election. And what bigger of a platform than a congressional hearing of major league baseball "americas past time."
I have not really heard much out of him on this topic since, which is why I believe he used it as a platform to keep himself in the national spotlight.

Someone like Biden, on the other hand, who may not be the next president, but WILL be the 2nd most powerful man in the nation, has deep seeded, one sided, life long opinions and stances on this issue. And has has made public stances on it for over 20 years. He was a key factor in the passage of the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 1990 and authored the Anabolic Steroid control act of 2004.

Again, I am having trouble finding much on McCain and this issue since 2005 and never heard of any position or statements made by McCain before 2004.
Thats not to say that this information doesn't exist, but I am having a hard time finding any, so if any one has links to articles, please post them. Thanks

May 2008

Senator John McCain supports federal steroid education efforts promoting “devastating” and “destructive” side effects of steroids, aggressive prosecution of steroid-related cases, enforcement of DEA to keep anabolic steroids out of dietary supplements, and “necessary support” to help anti-doping agencies detect undetectable designer anabolic steroids:

Since the beginning of the steroids scandals John McCain has consistently said that the important aspect of the issue is not the well-being of the multi-milliondollar professional athletes who choose to use banned substances to cheat themselves and their sport, but rather the effects these substances are having on our youth. In a simple point and click, our children today are able to obtain illegal performance-enhancing substances on the Internet in just a few days. The use of these substances among adolescents in the U.S. has reached epidemic proportions and the health effects of usage are devastating — leading to depression, suicide, stunted growth, and the deterioration of the liver, kidneys, bones, and reproductive organs. We have every reason to believe that what kids are doing indubitably will show up in doctor’s offices 15 years from now, so John McCain believes it is imperative that we act now.

A McCain administration would continue an aggressive prosecutorial approach, and will focus more on educating our youth about the destructive effects of these substances. And it’s not just performance-enhancing drugs. Our kids are obtaining prescription drugs over the Internet at an alarming rate. His administration would encourage schools to include lessons concerning the adverse health effects of these substances as part of physical education, and disseminate these educational messages at the grassroots level. In addition, my administration would ensure that dietary supplement manufacturers are in compliance with the Dietary Supplement Health Education Act (DSHEA) and not seeking shelter for substances that were never intended to be protected under the Act. A McCain administration would continue to pressure professional sports leagues to adopt zero-tolerance doping policies, and ensure that the Olympic athletes that represent our Nation do so with honor. Also, A McCain administration will provide the necessary support to research laboratories that are working to outpace the science developed by those who seek substances undetectable to testing."
__________________

[Kratos]

May 2008

Senator John McCain supports federal steroid education efforts promoting “devastating” and “destructive” side effects of steroids, aggressive prosecution of steroid-related cases, enforcement of DEA to keep anabolic steroids out of dietary supplements, and “necessary support” to help anti-doping agencies detect undetectable designer anabolic steroids:

Since the beginning of the steroids scandals John McCain has consistently said that the important aspect of the issue is not the well-being of the multi-milliondollar professional athletes who choose to use banned substances to cheat themselves and their sport, but rather the effects these substances are having on our youth. In a simple point and click, our children today are able to obtain illegal performance-enhancing substances on the Internet in just a few days. The use of these substances among adolescents in the U.S. has reached epidemic proportions and the health effects of usage are devastating — leading to depression, suicide, stunted growth, and the deterioration of the liver, kidneys, bones, and reproductive organs. We have every reason to believe that what kids are doing indubitably will show up in doctor’s offices 15 years from now, so John McCain believes it is imperative that we act now.

A McCain administration would continue an aggressive prosecutorial approach, and will focus more on educating our youth about the destructive effects of these substances. And it’s not just performance-enhancing drugs. Our kids are obtaining prescription drugs over the Internet at an alarming rate. His administration would encourage schools to include lessons concerning the adverse health effects of these substances as part of physical education, and disseminate these educational messages at the grassroots level. In addition, my administration would ensure that dietary supplement manufacturers are in compliance with the Dietary Supplement Health Education Act (DSHEA) and not seeking shelter for substances that were never intended to be protected under the Act. A McCain administration would continue to pressure professional sports leagues to adopt zero-tolerance doping policies, and ensure that the Olympic athletes that represent our Nation do so with honor. Also, A McCain administration will provide the necessary support to research laboratories that are working to outpace the science developed by those who seek substances undetectable to testing."
__________________

nice work Carlos, but just a PR peice, no mention of a specific law or bill he signed or drafted.

[Carlos_E]

nice work Carlos, but just a PR peice, no mention of a specific law or bill he signed or drafted.

Well, it's his statement from his Campaign. That's the message he's sending.

[T3/T4 GSR]

Unfortunately nothing will change the fact that what is done is done and regardless of theiur stance the new steroid possesion laws will stand and people will end up in jail for rediculously small amounts of gear. You can thank mass hysteria from the public and politicians greedy for exposure by passing bills that really don't mean anything to the majority of the country that have minimal impact on most peoples day to day lives.

[StoneGRMI]

If you guys actually listened/watched the interview on Mike & Mike you would clearly know that Obama was kidding when saying what he said. He followed the "I gotta admit that seeing a lot of congressional hearings around steroid use is not probably the best use of congressional time," by saying that the time would have been better used to help the NCAA make a College Football playoff system. The entire interview had no substance and wasn't serious. It was to show a lighter side of Obama and not to portray ANY political sides. Get a clue.

[Atomini]

If you guys actually listened/watched the interview on Mike & Mike you would clearly know that Obama was kidding when saying what he said. He followed the "I gotta admit that seeing a lot of congressional hearings around steroid use is not probably the best use of congressional time," by saying that the time would have been better used to help the NCAA make a College Football playoff system. The entire interview had no substance and wasn't serious. It was to show a lighter side of Obama and not to portray ANY political sides. Get a clue.

This is exactly what I was thinking...