Obama picks Biden as running-mate

[jellybelly]

http://www.imagebee.net/images/5kry2828vtpk5ybhyhtx.jpg

US Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama has announced that Joe Biden will be his running mate in November's election.

Mr Obama's choice, confirmed on his website, comes ahead of next week's Democratic Party convention.

Mr Biden, a 65-year-old veteran lawmaker, has over three decades of Senate experience and is highly respected on foreign policy issues.

Republican contender John McCain could announce his choice next week.

Speculation is mounting that Senator McCain may name his running mate on 29 August, his 72nd birthday and a day after the Democrats wrap up their convention.

'Impressive record'

The announcement came shortly after several US media networks began reporting that Mr Biden had been chosen.

"Barack has chosen Joe Biden to be his running mate," a brief statement on Mr Obama's campaign website said.

"Joe Biden brings extensive foreign policy experience, an impressive record of collaborating across party lines, and a direct approach to getting the job done," it said.

The two men are expected to appear together at a rally in Springfield, Illinois, later in the day.

Mr Biden has represented the state of Delaware in the US Senate since 1972.

He is known as a strong orator and chairs the Foreign Relations Committee - something analysts say would balance Mr Obama's self-confessed lack of foreign policy experience.

The son of a car salesman, he is also expected to appeal to the blue collar workers with whom Mr Obama has struggled to connect.

The senator ran against Mr Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton for the presidential nomination but dropped out after failing to gain enough support.

The McCain camp called the choice of Mr Biden an admission by Barack Obama that he was not ready to be president.

"Biden has denounced Barack Obama's poor foreign policy judgement and has strongly argued in his own words what Americans are quickly realising - that Barack Obama is not ready to be president," McCain campaign spokesman Ben Porritt said in a statement.

John McCain has reportedly not yet settled on a running mate.

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney are reported to be under serious consideration for the role.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/

[SpadeScorpio]

ok, I guess one can surmise from this stupidity that McCain has just won the presidential race.
The only way Obama had any chance to win was to add Hillary as his V.P. since she had already established and had built a great number of representatives and voters who identify with her. There are a great number of demographic groups who do not support Obama and having Hillary, was his "ticket" to connecting to these outsiders.
I'm guessing there is a lot more than it meets the eye and the perhaps the chemistry and/or Hillary's strong voice does not sit well with the Obama's camp.

Too bad, as a politician he really is too naive. :(

[justsheila]

I am glad that Barack has chosen Joe Biden as his V.P. It would have made me literally sick if he would have chosen Hillary Clinton. Now they all talk about not showing her any respect, get real. She was running for the same position. If she were a man, would they be saying the same thing. I think not. Why didn't they say the same thing about her when Clinton took Monica under the desk in the oval office and you know I am still wondering if anyone has found out whose gum that actually was under the desktop. I really can't stand the Clintons and with them anywhere near Barack Obama, I actually fear for his life. I think bringing some youth and new ideas in the white house might very well be the thing we need the most. I don't think Barack will be battling with the head below the belt as Clinton did and so we should all be alright Hope all goes well with Barack Obama and his family. justsheila

[johnson]

Biden has more experience than Hillary in foreign policy and other areas, like the judiciary. What I like about Biden is that as many in Washington say, he has no enemies, left or right. He's a straight-shooter. He's passionate, as Obama is.

As far as being naive, Obama may be a lot of things, but he is not that. I think it was a good move. While Biden has been in Washington many years, he is not "Washington". He has kept his roots with main stream America.

As for the Hillary supporters. Most of them will come over. Those who don't...well, that's their problem. If they are so bitter that they'll vote for McCain or stay home, then the Democratic party is well rid of them.