Are We Supposed to Believe Ahnold Didn't Inhale?

As the scandal machine continues to unfold the sordid spectacle of baseball players like Barry Bonds revealed to be drug steroid users, Maria Shriver has stepped forward in Bonds's defense:

California first lady Maria Shriver Tuesday defended San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds as "a father, a great baseball player and a great Californian'' and said parents -- not politicians -- might be the most effective influences on young athletes about the dangers of steroids.

Shriver said the news from the BALCO scandal had prompted her to talk with her children about the subject of steroid use, adding she didn't think that politicians, including her husband, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, can substitute for parents when it comes to helping young athletes avoid the dangers of steroids.

"I don't look to politicians to take the lead on that,'' she said. ...

Shriver said the story had become a breakfast table topic in her house – in part because her son goes to the same school as a daughter of Bonds.

"My son asked me about it because he's a big Barry Bonds fan" and felt badly for the baseball star's daughter, she said. "All his friends were talking about it ... and that's how it came up in our house.''

Shriver said she had told her son that compassion was in order, and "we can't forget that there's always a personal side to these things.''

Shriver should understand very well about the "personal side" of atheletes using steroids: Steroids are the foundation of her husband's career.

It's interesting that Shriver, not Schwarzenegger, did the dirty work of talking to the children about the dangers of steroid use. What's the matter, Ahnold? If you can't face awkward and embarassing questions from a basically sympathetic member of your family, why should anyone think you have what it takes to face the press?