I don't know how I feel about HoF credentials at the best of times - my problems with them are an offshoot of the problems I have with statistics generally - but some of the reasons you assume are keeping these guys out are so petty. Like Schilling, I don't know if his numbers get him in (though I think they do?), but to keep him out because of the stupid political shit he says is just beyond stupid. Have they had a look at the personal conduct of half of the people in there who have statues?
Bonds was a dickhead, and worse, a Pirate, but come on. His hand-eye was stupid awesome.
I think the biggest issue with Schilling (if indeed writers are holding his post-baseball life against him) is that's actually not a part of the voting process.
Now if some ex-player headed for the hall of fame murders someone I would rather not see them voted into the hall of fame... So I am being hypocritical, but the qualifications for writers is.
5.
Voting: Voting shall be based upon the player's record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played.
Integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played. Nowhere does it say the players POST-PLAYING CAREER should factor into the hall of fame voting qualifications.
However, those three things (integrity/sportsmanship/character) certainly are what also leaves the door open to not voting for Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, and the other PED or suspected PED players.
Do I think Bonds and Clemens would have had hall of fame careers without ever using PED? Absolutely. I am sure of that.
Do I think Bonds would have retired as the HR king or played as exceptionally well into his early 40s as he did without PED? Absolutely NOT.
Do I think Clemens had a hall of fame career before possibly ever using PEDs? Yes.
Do I think Clemens would have had back to back top-3 Cy Young seasons after the age of 40 without PEDs? Absolutely NOT.
So then it just becomes a personal opinion of do you think the CHEATING done by these players is enough of a taint to cancel out their hall of fame careers? I'd actually be on the side of yes it does. I'm not going to crucify someone who is on the opposite side, but that's my personal opinion.