Clemens steroids issue is surprisingly partisan

They are not, traditionally speaking, members of Congress batting around the issue of Roger Clemens and steroids as if their party affiliation was a logo emblazoned across a cap and jersey.

Wednesday's congressional hearing on the Mitchell Report introduced us to two new influential political action groups:

Republicans for Roger Clemens.

Democrats for Brian McNamee.

You could hear in their voices and see it in their demeanor as representatives from both sides of the aisle took turns at firing/lobbing questions at Clemens, Embattled Baseball Legend, and McNamee, former personal trainer for the legend and the man who claims he injected Clemens with steroids.

Rep. Dan Burton Republican from Indiana, called Clemens "a titan in baseball. All these lies, if they're not true, destroy his reputation."

Rep. Elijah Cummings, Democrat from Maryland, told Clemens, "You're one of my heroes, but it's hard to believe you."

Burton told McNamee, "This is really disgusting. You are here, under oath, yet you have told lie after lie."

Rep. Henry A. Waxman, Democrat from California, said, "I think McNamee has a lot of credibility."

Rep. Virginia Foxx, Republican from North Carolina, looked at photos of Clemens taken at various stages in his career and told the pitcher, "You appear to me to be about the same size. It doesn't appear to me that your size has changed."

On and on it went. Now batting for McNamee, a Democrat. Coming in to pitch for Clemens, a Republican.

The battles lines were so obviously and outrageously drawn according to party affiliation, Rep. Tom Davis, Republican from Virginia, revealed some true colors as he posed a question for McNamee while alluding to the grilling Clemens was taking: "Since the other side seems to be focusing on Mr. Clemens, I will direct my questions to you."

Political stereotypes had a field day at the hearing.

Clemens is rich, arrogant and throws right. Of course the Republicans have his back.

McNamee is a working stiff. He drew a paycheck from Clemens. He doesn't have anything close to Clemens' fame or clout. He's an underdog. Of course that's a cause the Democrats will support.