DaytonDailyNews.com

Local Democrats and Republicans both like Sen. Barack Obama's vice-presidential pick, Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del.

Democrats like his experience. Republicans like that Biden criticized Obama as inexperienced earlier in the campaign.

Former U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine, a Republican who is leading Sen. John McCain's Ohio campaign, pointed to comments Biden made during the Democratic primary questioning Obama's experience. McCain's campaign leapt on those comments Saturday morning, quickly sending out a commercial emphasizing those comments.

"I think the Obama campaign has a problem," DeWine said, saying Biden's comments are "rather embarrassing for the campaign."

Ohio GOP Deputy Chairman Kevin DeWine said, "The selection of Joe Biden is a blatant admission that Barack Obama lacks the experience to be commander in chief. Just a few months ago Sen. Biden told Barack Obama the presidency is not the place for on the job training. He's right."

Democrats, however, are praising Biden's credentials — 36 years in the U.S. Senate and ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Montgomery County Democratic Party chair Mark Owens approves of Sen. Barack Obama's pick for a running mate, he said Saturday, Aug. 23.

"He's experienced, he's good on foreign affairs, he's good on domestic affairs - he's what he was looking for," Owens said. "He complements Sen. Obama."

Owens said Biden's working-class background will attract Ohioans who may have initially preferred Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., as the Democratic nominee.

"When you look at Sen. Biden's background, he's from a working class background, he worked his way up, he's a strong family guy," he said. "He's the kind of guy Ohioans respect and like."

State Rep. Clayton Luckie, D-Dayton, said, "He was one of my top choices" and added that Biden's foreign policy credentials will help seal up concerns about Obama's foreign policy experience.

He predicted a "humungous" bump in the polls as a result of Obama's pick. "This is going to be such a positive thing — it's going to bump Sen. Obama so far that McCain will never catch up."

State Sen. Tom Roberts, D-Dayton, said, "I think it's an excellent, excellent selection. I think he rounds the ticket. He brings the experience, the foreign affairs experience. I think (Biden) will be well thought of and well respected as vice president."

Chris Duncan, chair of the political science department at the University of Dayton, said Biden's working-class credentials would help attract some of the Democrats who had initially preferred Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., over Obama. He also cited Biden's experience as a plus for Obama.

"This is a good solid pick for him," Duncan said.

Contact this reporter at (614) 224-1624 or lbischoff@DaytonDailyNews.com.