updated 12:00 a.m. ET Feb. 15, 2008

In the Roger Clemens primary, the Republicans nominated the Rocket. The Democrats went with the other guy.

That was the feeling on Capitol Hill on Thursday, the day after the seven-time Cy Young Award winner defended himself before Congress. Showing that even baseball isn’t exempt from America’s Red State-Blue State divide, questions such as “How did Roger do?” were often followed with something like: “Why are the two parties bickering over this?”

“Of all the things to become partisan over,” Rep. Elijah Cummings, a Maryland Democrat, said Thursday, “this was the wrong one.”

Cummings was among those who strongly questioned Clemens’ credibility in testimony involving the pitcher’s former personal trainer, Brian McNamee, during Wednesday’s 4½-hour hearing held by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Republicans, for the most part, saved their searing comments for McNamee, who was repeatedly called a “drug dealer” by Rep. Christopher Shays of Connecticut.

“I thought the tone of the hearing was a little askew,” said Rep. Diane Watson, a California Democrat. “I told Mr. Clemens that I didn’t think it was going to be a court trial or an inquisition, but I think some of the members did go out of their way to be accusatory without having all of the facts.

“It is hard for me to discern who was not telling the truth and who was. Both men denied the other one’s claim. I saw the questioning kind of divided, with some on the Republican side calling Mr. McNamee a liar and some on the Democratic side really questioning Clemens, and so I don’t think we got anywhere on that.”

Theories abounded over why the sides couldn’t see eye to eye.

Richard Emery, one of McNamee’s lawyers, said that some Republicans treated his client harshly because of Clemens’ friendship with the Bush family. Emery predicted the pitcher will be pardoned by President Bush should Clemens be indicted or convicted of anything related to the hearing.

Steroids in baseball FBI begins perjury investigation of Clemens Celizic: Rocket should have just said yes 'I don't like any of this,' Pettitte says Celizic: Pettitte believable, Clemens isn't Opinion: Selig should shut down Rocket, Barry Open Mike: Barry needs to try Rickey route Ventre: Steroid stories are here to stay Who won, who lost, at Clemens hearing List of stars on Mitchell Report  |  Slide show

“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,” said Emery, an attorney who has worked for liberal causes. “It’s my belief they have some reason to believe they can get a pardon.”

Not surprisingly, Clemens’ camp — and the GOP — saw things differently.

“Richard Emery just has to quit smoking his own dope,” said Rusty Hardin, one of Clemens’ attorneys.

As for a pardon from a president? “I’m not aware of Mr. Clemens having been charged with anything,” White House deputy press secretary Tony Fratto said.

A spokesman for Rep. Darrell Issa of California said the hearing’s partisan tone evolved because Republican members felt the hearing was overly focused on Clemens instead of the broader concerns raised in the Mitchell Report on drugs in baseball.

Clemens before congress Torre feels bad for Clemens Feb. 13: Dodgers manager says he feels bad about the steroid accusations against his former player and hopes baseball can move on. Clemens on the stand and under fire Bob Costas discusses Clemens' testimony Clemens, attorneys speak after hearing Rep. Cummings doubts Clemens Waxman: 'Inconsistencies' by Clemens McNamee: 'I told the truth'

“It’s clear Democrats had expected a government-funded, TV show trial, and now they’re whining that Republicans didn’t want to play,” said the spokesman, Frederick Hill. “The hearing was supposed to be about the Mitchell Report. The Democrats are at fault for focusing on individual wrongdoing instead of the validity of the Mitchell Report.”

Said Issa: “We’re not supposed to have these kinds of spectacles.”

But a spectacle it was, much like the 2005 hearing that featured Mark McGwire and his oft-repeated statement: “I’m not hear to talk about the past.” That hearing damaged McGwire’s reputation immeasurably, but it is also spurred baseball into stricter penalties and more frequent testing for performance-enhancing drugs.

The ramifications from Wednesday’s hearing might not be known a while. McNamee said he injected Clemens with steroids and human growth hormone. Clemens said he has never used either. Since both were under oath, one or both could face charges stemming from making false statements or obstructing.

MORE FROM BASEBALL

Baseball Section Front

What's wrong with Josh Beckett? Rays work late into night, get even with Red Sox Red Sox vs. Rays: You pick ALCS winner   Live: Follow Dodgers vs. Phillies in Game 3 of NLCS Phillies vs. Dodgers: You pick NLCS winner Man gets prison for killing fan after Bonds' 700th At Bat blog: Giving Lester and others their just due Canseco detained at U.S. border with fertility drug Analysis: Rays are best bet to win World Series Blyleven: Making a pitch for postseason success  Baseball Section Front   Add Baseball headlines to your news reader: