Taken from Jason Stark's espn Blog:
by Tommy2ksi, 2/13/08 15:02 ET
2:49 p.m. ET - Back came Rep. Elijah Cummings to crystallize why Clemens is in such an impossible spot, as convincing as he sounded at times Wednesday.
"If I walked in here," Cummings told Clemens, "and it was even-steven, you and Mr. McNamee, I must admit that the person I believe most (pause) is Mr. Pettitte."
Cummings then laid it all out, almost exactly as he'd done hours earlier.
"When Mr. McNamee gave his testimony about Knoblauch and Pettitte, those allegations turned out to be true," Cummings went on. "But for some reason, … when it comes to you, it's a whole 'nother thing. … How do you explain this?"
Clemens then insisted one more time that Pettitte had "misheard" him. Cummings wasn't buying it.
"I've listened to you very carefully," Cummings said. "And I take you at your word. And you're telling me that Andy Pettitte is an honest man, and his credibility is pretty much impeccable. … You said you were misunderstood. But all I'm saying is, it's hard to believe. It's hard to believe your story.
"I hate to say that," Cummings concluded. "You're one of my heores. But it's hard to believe you."
Rep. Elijah Cummings, ladies and gentlemen. The most powerful voice in this hearing, by far. |
