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Election Coverage
Among area Dems: 'A solid candidate'
Top Headlines A senator for more than 35 years and twice a presidential candidate himself, Biden's inclusion on the ticket will clear up doubts about Obama's relative youth and inexperience, local Democrats said. "He's a good choice, a solid candidate," said Ellen Parker, an Attleboro resident and Massachusetts Democratic State Committee member. "He'll bring a lot of experience with him." One local politician agreed with Parker, saying that having an established political player like Biden will add stability to the ticket. Biden has been in Washington since he was 30 years old, said state Sen. Jim Timilty, D-Walpole. "He's absolutely the perfect choice." Biden's position as a longtime member, and current chairman, of the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee is a comfort to many local Democrats since the winner of this year's election will have to deal with wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Team players Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama with vice presidential running mate Sen. Joe Biden waves at a rally in front of the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Ill., Saturday.
"He knows all the world leaders," said Timilty, who endorsed Biden in his earlier bid for the Democratic nomination. "Bringing that to the team is a tremendous advantage."Local Dems also said they see Biden, who questioned whether Obama was ready to be president during the primary season, as someone who will speak his mind and help do what's best for the country. "He's an independent voice who will offer real options," said Darren Major, an Obama supporter from Attleboro and member of the state committee. "Obama looks for someone who will challenge him, and (Biden) will do that." "This country is hanging over a cliff," Major said. "They have the message to take us back from the edge." While national polls are showing a close race, Parker seems confident the Obama-Biden ticket will pull it out on Tuesday, Nov. 4. "This is a great year for the Democrats," Parker said. "I think people are tired of eight years of (George W.) Bush and certainly ready to go in a different direction." As convention season arrives, area Democrats say they finally have the end in sight and are ready for it. "I'm very excited," Parker said. "It can't come soon enough." MATT KAKLEY can be reached at 508-236-0333 or at mkakley@thesunchronicle.com.
Post Your Comments realist wrote on Aug 24, 2008 8:29 AM: " In the interest of full disclosure -- I am a Republican. For those who think that Biden will add foreign policy expertise think about this - In the 1980's Biden opposed Reagan's hardline stance against the Soviet Union. Reagan's policies ended the cold war. Biden opposed the US going into Iraq after the invasion of Kuwait. He voted for the invasion of Iraq in 2003 but when things weren't going well he called for the US to cut and run and for Iraq to be divided along ethnic line. In other words people would be forced out of the homes they have been in all their lives and moved to unfamiliar regions of the country. Biden has lots of foreign policy experience - its all been on the wrong side of the issues. For those unfamiliar with the way the Senate works, you don't get a committee assignment because of your expertise. You ask for it and the party leaders may or may not give it to you. You become chairman of a committee simply because the voters of your state keep sending you back and you gain seniority and your party is the majority. Now, let's talk about that plagiarized speech... " or
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skeptic wrote on Aug 24, 2008 8:34 AM:
Didn't Biden say that Obama was not qualified to be president? "