Bush Commends, but Doesn't Call, Bonds

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2007/08/08/bush-commends-but-doesnt-call-bonds/

President Bush hasn’t called Barry Bonds, but does congratulate the slugger for eclipsing Henry Aaron’s 33-year old home run record.

White House spokesman Tony Snow said he doesn’t know if Bush will call Bonds, whose assault on the record books was plagued by suspicions of performance-enhancing drug use, allegations the outfielder denies. “The home run record is one that has always captured the imagination of sports fans. Obviously it was a historic occasion,” Snow told reporters.

The spokesman said he presumed Bush wasn’t watching Bonds’ record-breaking smash, which occurred after 11p.m. EDT.

Bush, a former owner of the Texas Rangers, has criticized the use of performance-enhancing drugs. In his 2004 State of the Union address, he said drugs send the wrong message and called on professional sports “to get tough and to get rid of steroids now.” Snow said questions about Bonds will be answered “in the fullness of time.”