Deconstructing President Obama’s Statements on Anabolic Steroids

Feb 11

Deconstructing President Obama’s Statements on Anabolic Steroids

What Does President Barrack Obama Really Think About Anabolic Steroids?

Michael Fletcher, the reporter for the Washington Post, was one of thirteen journalists called upon by President Barrack Obama during his first presidential press conference. The hour-long press conference was carried in primetime by all major news network and cable outlets. Twelve of the questions answered by President Obama dealt with issues involving economic, domestic and national security issues. Then, there was the question by Mr. Fletcher, “What is your reaction to Alex Rodriguez's admission that he used steroids as a member of the Texas Rangers?” Seriously.

President Obama released an audible sigh of exasperation at Fletcher’s question. Obama would not have been faulted for ducking such a stupid question. Yet he dignified the question with a 70-second response.

Comments on anabolic steroids by the President of the United States give both steroid law reformers and anti-steroid crusaders alike insight into the President’s thoughts about steroid policy. Former President George W. Bush’s decision to prioritize anabolic steroids in his 2004 State of the Union address inspired policymakers and law enforcement to aggressively “get rid of steroids.” President Obama’s comments will similarly be interpreted by all parties with an interest in steroid law and anti-doping policy.

First, the public learned during the press conference that steroid use by professional athletes depresses President Obama. “I think it's depressing news on top of what's been a flurry of depressing items when it comes to Major League Baseball,” President Obama lamented. “And if you're a fan of Major League Baseball, I think it -- it tarnishes an entire era to some degree.”

Secondly, President Obama’s perfunctory and obligatory condemnation of steroid use appealed to public fears that children will use steroids because their favorite athletes set a poor example.

“And the thing I’m probably most concerned about is the message that it sends to our kids. What I’m pleased about is Major League Baseball seems to finally be taking this seriously, to recognize how big of a problem this is for the sport, and that our kids, hopefully, are watching and saying ‘You know what? There are no short cuts.’ That when you try to take short cuts, you may end up tarnishing your entire career. And your integrity’s not worth it. That’s the message I hope is communicated.”

President Obama believes steroid use in sports is wrong and that athletes who use steroids are poor role models for children. However, Obama’s February 10, 2009 comments on steroids do not unequivocally support a change in steroid policy in either direction.

On the other hand, an October 2, 2008 interview on ESPN Radio’s “Mike & Mike in the Morning“ clearly indicates that Obama believes that the federal government has far more important things to worry about than steroids.

“I gotta admit that seeing a lot of congressional hearings around steroid use is not probably the best use of congressional time. Kids are watching sports. They’re modeling themselves on athletes. 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.”

Advocates of steroid law reform and fiscal conservatives interpreted Obama’s comments as supportive of the reduced use of federal resources in steroid law enforcement or an effective end to the federal government’s war on steroids.

Unfortunately, Obama’s suggestion that the congressional obsession with anabolic steroids was a waste of time and government resources contradicts statements made by Barrack Obama’s presidential campaign in an interview with USA Today on May 9, 2008. Obama was specifically asked what he would do about the “possession, use and distribution of performance enhancing drugs” and whether he supported the “increased attention the Justice Department has been paying to prosecutions in this area”.

“As a father and an avid sports fan, I understand the dangers that performance enhancing drugs pose for athletes, as well as the teenagers who seek to emulate them, not to mention the effect that these drugs have on the integrity of sports. As president, I would use the bully pulpit of my office to warn Americans about the dangers of performance enhancing drugs, and I would put greater resources into enforcement of existing drug laws. I would also convene a summit of the commissioners of the professional sports leagues, as well as university presidents, to explore options for decreasing the use of these drugs.”

In his most explicit statement to date regarding anabolic steroid law enforcement policy under a President Barrack Obama administration, Obama advocated the INCREASED USE OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RESOURCES to enforce existing steroid law.

Steroid law reformers like to pick and choose specific statements to show that President Obama may call for an end to the government’s war on steroids either through a change in steroid policy and/or reduced government resources devoted to steroid prosecutions. Such exuberance may be overly optimistic given Obama’s entire record of statements regarding steroids. Additionally, Obama’s partnership with Vice President Joseph Biden, the architect of the Anabolic Steroid Control Act(s) of 1990 and 2004, does not bode well for steroid law reform.

Sources

”Obama’s First News Conference Covers A Range Of Issues,” February 9, 2009

“Press Conference by the President,” February 9, 2009

”Obama Differs from McCain on Steroids,” October 2, 2008

”Where the candidates stand on sports issues,” May 9, 2008

By Millard Baker

http://www.millardbaker.com

www.SteroidsRx.com