The announcement, via email, when it finally came through said:
I have some important news that I want to make official.
I've chosen Joe Biden to be my running mate.
Joe and I will appear for the first time as running mates this afternoon in Springfield, Illinois -- the same place this campaign began more than 19 months ago.
I'm excited about hitting the campaign trail with Joe, but the two of us can't do this alone. We need your help to keep building this movement for change.
Please let Joe know that you're glad he's part of our team. Share your personal welcome note and we'll make sure he gets it:
http://my.barackobama.com/welcomejoe
Thanks for your support,
Barack
P.S. -- Make sure to turn on your TV at 2:00 p.m. Central Time to join us or watch online at http://www.BarackObama.com.
As I predicted yesterday when writing about the secret service being dispatched to Biden's residence, examples of Joe Biden's words about Barack Obama's inexperience, said during the Democratic primaries, is already being used to remind people exactly what Biden said.
Via Hot Air:
John McCain. At 6:06 am ET this morning, Team McCain sent out its newest television spot, welcoming Joe Biden to the race — and reminding voters what Biden thought about Barack Obama just a few months ago:
YouTube URL for video here.
Text of the new ad:
ANNCR: What does Barack Obama’s running mate say about Barack Obama?
ABC’S GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: You were asked, “Is he ready?” You said, “I think he can be ready but right now, I don’t believe he is. The presidency is not something that lends itself to on-the-job training.”
JOE BIDEN: I think that I stand by the statement.
ANNCR: And what does he say about John McCain?
BIDEN: I would be honored to run with or against John McCain, because I think the country would be better off.
This was expected and now Obama has a strong running mate that will publicly be seen in ad after ad saying he is not ready and that he would would be "honored" to run with or against McCain.
More from NYT, AP, Wapo's The Fix, and The Politico.
[Update] Andrew Malcolm from Top of the Ticket has the quote of the say:
Boom-Boom. Obama picks Biden; GOP picks Biden to hit Obama
Now that is funny.
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