Obama-Biden ticket gets positive local reaction

by Jim Pinkerton (jmpinkerton@wsbt.com)

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Democratic presidential hopefuls Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, laughs with Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., before the start of a presidential forum hosted by the AFL-CIO at Soldier Field in Chicago, in this Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007 file photo. Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware is Barack Obama's pick as vice presidential running mate, The Associated Press has learned Saturday Aug. 23, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, FILE)

By Jim Pinkerton

Story Created: Aug 23, 2008 at 8:03 PM EST

Story Updated: Aug 26, 2008 at 10:40 PM EST

ELKHART COUNTY — Local reaction to Obama's vice presidential pick has been generally positive. The general consensus: that Senator Joe Biden will help in areas where Obama may be lacking.

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As he went door to door campaigning, Chuck Stouder had a new candidate to talk about.

"I'm very confident that Mr. Biden, if he disagrees or has a different slant on things that he'll very strongly express his opinion to Mr. Obama and I think it'll be great," he said.

A local political expert says Joe Biden's differences with Obama during the primary battle won't be an issue for the two now.

"I think it's important for Obama to have that strength on the ticket," said Elizabeth Bennion of Indiana University South Bend.

The Republicans have already launched their attacks, saying the choice proves Obama doesn't have enough experience to be commander and chief on his own. But Bennion says other VP choices would have had issues, too.

"Somebody like Evan Bayh would have been exciting for Indiana, but he also campaigned very hard for Clinton. So I'm sure there are similar comments he made on tape in support of the Clinton candidacy," she said.

Former Indiana Governor Joe Kernan was a Clinton supporter, but he says Obama made a wise choice with Biden.

"He is a guy that is very warm, is very genuine, someone who speaks his mind and I think Senator Obama realized he would be a great partner for him. I think they will be a good team," Kernan said.

Bennion says it is interesting that Obama chose the senator from Delaware. She says choosing Bayh or Virginia Governor Tim Kaine would have given him help in carrying a traditionally Republican state.

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