McNamee's lawyer predicts presidential pardon for Clemens

AP & Dallas Morning News ^ | February 14, 2008

[JZelle]

One of Brian McNamee's lawyers predicted that Roger Clemens will be pardoned by President Bush, saying some Republicans treated his client harshly because of the pitcher's friendship with the Bush family.

Lawyer Richard Emery made the claims Thursday, a day after a congressional hearing broke down along party lines. Many Democrats were skeptical of Clemens' denials that he used performance-enhancing drugs and Republicans questioned the character of McNamee, the personal trainer who made the accusations against the seven-time Cy Young Award winner.

"It would be the easiest thing in the world for George W. Bush given the corrupt proclivities of his administration to say Roger Clemens is an American hero, Roger Clemens helped children," Emery said in a telephone interview. "It's my belief they have some reason to believe they can get a pardon."

During Wednesday's session before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Clemens repeated his denials under oath, which could lead to criminal charges if federal prosecutors conclude he made false statements or obstructed Congress.

"I'm not aware of Mr. Clemens having been charged with anything," White House deputy press secretary Tony Fratto said after being told of Emery's remarks.

Emery cited Bush's decision last year to commute the 2 1/2-year prison sentence of I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, his vice president's former top aide. Libby was convicted in the case of the leaked identity of a CIA operative.

[MortMan]

Not having followed this story all that closely, I was unaware that Pettite had given a deposition. That makes his statements direct testimony, clearly.

I suggest you find a different law school to learn about the law.

It's a good thing I'm an engineer and not a lawyer. I appreciate the descriptions you have offered.

[diamond6]

Sorry about the sarcastic comments.

If it makes you feel any better, I wouldn’t have the foggiest idea about how to design the things that you do.

Take care.

[MortMan]

Thank you for your classy reply. It makes me glad I chose to not try to out-sarcasm you in my reply.

One great thing about this forum is the wide diversity of experiences and knowledge bases that are contributed. It makes for lively and informative debate, all the way around (except perhaps on the current McCain threads - but that’s a whole other story!).

Have a great day.

[Eric Blair 2084]

As a lifelong Mets fan, it’s actually pretty out of character to criticize McNamee as well as Clemens.

So your retardation is a Met-Yankee thing. I thought it was a limited government-big government thing. My bad.

I would have been a Met fan. I grew up in Queens. A stones throw away from Flushing a Shea. My dad brought me to a Met game in 1975. 10 cent subway ride. Still rememberthe Schaefer Beer ad on the program, the bright blue helmets on free helmet day. Than they lost miserably in a double header to the Expos.

A year later as I started Little League, the Yankees had Reggie, Thurman Munson, sweet Lou, , Craig Nettles, Ron Guidry and they were winning. I became a Yankee fan. Sue me. I was 10 and I jumped on the bandwagon.

What the Hell were we talking about anyway?????

[bpjam]

Since when and why did this become a partisan issue?!!!

Have you seen the evidence against Clemens?

I liked Clemens for his achievements and still think he should be in the HOF, but I’m not blindly biased in his favor.

It’s clear to me that he has lied through his teeth repeatedly under oath. His brazenness in doing so should be rewarded with big time jail time.

The Republican congressman who shilled and pandered themselves for him should be ashamed of themselves.

There is no doubt in my mind that Clemens has perjured himself.

Where has our party gone?

---

Henry Waxman completely agrees with you and he is quite happy that his plan worked. And I’m sure he is glad that you support his efforts.

[bpjam]

I’m not dreaming, and he will not be charged.
Ping me if he is put on trial.

---

I’m pinging you now so you can watch this unfold.

Clemens being indicted and put on trial was already planned at the time that the subpeona went out to Clemens for this hearing. The referral letter to the DOJ was written the day after the subpeona was drafted requiring Clemens presence in front of that committee (the idea that Clemens ‘demanded’ to appear is sophistry and CYA for democrats who outsmarted a dumb Texan who made his living throwing balls at people).

Clemens fell into the perjury trap because he is so full of bravado and arrogance. Waxman and his henchmen correctly predicted that if they publicly challenged him that he would not back down. Not like he had another other choice unless he wanted to plead the 5th in front of 1700 television cameras and publicly proclaim his desire to never be in the Hall of Fame.

Not only will I predict that Clemens will be on trial (correctly) but I will also predict that Clemens will be publicly linked to Bush and the GOP. (There is no point is having a high profile lynching if you don’t damage the GOP)

Clemens will be painted as having been a longtime ‘conservative republican’ who back all kinds of candidates like Tom Delay, George Bush and David Duke.