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Biden talking with Obama at the first Democratic presidential debate in April 2007. (AP)
Last update - 15:29 24/08/2008
Biden has 'solid pro-Israel record,' says head of Jewish Democratic group
By Natasha Mozgovaya, Haaretz U.S. correspondent, and The Associated Press
Tags: joe biden, obama 

The head of a major Jewish Democratic organization praised Barack Obama on Saturday for an "outstanding selection" in tapping Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware to be his vice presidential running mate.

"Biden is a strong leader and great friend of the American Jewish community with extensive foreign policy experience and a solid pro-Israel record," Ira Forman, the executive director of the National Jewish Democratic Council said Saturday.

"Biden embodies the Jewish ideal of practicing tikkun olam - repairing the world and has a strong commitment to issues important to the Jewish community including, civil liberties, civil liberties, reproductive rights for women, education, health care, the environment, opposition to radical right wing judicial appointees, combating violence against women, and maintaining a strong wall between church and state," Forman said.
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Obama's selection of Biden balances his ticket with an older congressional veteran well-versed in foreign and defense issues.

Biden, who has twice sought the White House, is a Catholic with a generally liberal voting record and a reputation as a long-winded orator.

Across more than 30 years in the Senate, he has served at various times not only as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, but also as head of the Judiciary Committee, with its jurisdiction over anti-crime legislation and Constitutional issues.

The official who spoke did so on condition of anonymity, preferring not to pre-empt a text-message announcement the Obama campaign promised for Saturday morning.

Obama's campaign arranged a debut for the newly minted ticket on Saturday outside the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois.

The Democratic National Convention meets next week in Denver to hand Obama his long-sought presidential nomination, and then confirm Biden.

Biden slowly emerged as Obama's choice across a long day and night of political suspense as other contenders gradually fell away.

First Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine let it be known that he had been ruled out. Then came word that Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana had also been passed over.

Several aides to former first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton - who was Obama's closest rival for the presidential nomination - said they believed she also was out of contention. They added the Obama campaign had never requested financial or other records from her.

Despite passing over Clinton, Obama has gone to great lengths to gain the confidence of her primary voters, agreeing to allow her name to be placed in nomination and permitting a roll call vote.

Other finalists in the veep sweepstakes were Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and Texas Rep. Chet Edwards.

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      1.   This choice assures an Obama presidency... 09:13  |  BBSNews 23/08/08
      2.   Biden 09:16  |  American 23/08/08
      3.   A DREAM TEAM ON THE TOP OF US POLITIC 11:34  |  indrajaya 23/08/08
      4.   Would be better if Joe Biden was the candidate 13:39  |  redmike 23/08/08
      5.   SENATOR Joseph BIDEN: My son 14:32  |  Dav 23/08/08
      6.   A man who supports restoration of Iran-US ties ****************** 14:54  |  whatever 23/08/08
      7.   OBAMA/BIDEN 15:23  |  lili 23/08/08
      8.   A good choice 15:57  |  Habib 23/08/08
      9.   The McCain choice will be Clinton 16:03  |  Habib 23/08/08
      10.   No experience 16:05  |  royzer 23/08/08
      11.   Biden has the job sewed up 16:11  |  Natallie Durson 23/08/08
      12.   Double whammy for Obama! 16:18  |  Maurice 23/08/08
      13.   Balancing the ticket with a white was smart 16:31  |  not American 23/08/08
      14.   This is the Obama running mate that McCain always wanted 16:32  |  Joe Camel 23/08/08
      15.   Democrat chances in November? 16:34  |  Brod 23/08/08
      16.   Well this explains alot of comments Joe Biden was saying 16:36  |  Shepherd 23/08/08
      17.   Obama and Biden is to Liberal a ticket for America 16:44  |  Kipperraes 23/08/08
      18.   WSJ poll: Was Biden the right choice? 17:01  |  Joe Camel 23/08/08
      19.   Maurice #7 17:15  |  Brod 23/08/08
      20.   Shepherd #11, Kipperraes #12 17:18  |  Brod 23/08/08
      21.   Biden - Are you sure? 17:38  |  Col 23/08/08
      22.   BBBSNews 17:40  |  Jay 23/08/08
      23.   Good Choice! 18:05  |  Danite 23/08/08
      24.   Biden 18:31  |  American 23/08/08
      25.   Forget jewish vote, catholic vote is more critical 19:30  |  Voice of Reason 23/08/08
      26.   Funny differences in American view 20:17  |  Mark B. 23/08/08
      27.   #20 20:45  |  American 23/08/08
      28.   How about that one? The next VP is the LOOSER , yes 21:08  |  Danny Boy 23/08/08
      29.   The crux of the matter is... 21:45  |  FZ, Edinburgh 23/08/08
      30.   Obama - Biden 22:11  |  American 23/08/08
      31.   What did Biden say about Obama and McCaine? 22:20  |  redmike 23/08/08
      32.   #3 WE DON`T SHOP FOR FRIENDS 22:54  |  David P 23/08/08
      33.   Biden is a good man 23:37  |  Margaret Connell 23/08/08
      34.   I got my 3am txt message...way too early for me 23:39  |  Aphemia 23/08/08
      35.   Obama`s next mistake done - guy is doomed! 23:45  |  Nice one 23/08/08
      36.   #3 EVERYBODY WOULD NOT BE US FRIEND;YOUR MISTAKEN AGAIN;JUST AS 23:48  |  glenna 23/08/08
      37.   job sewed 01:32  |  Shmuelshachor 24/08/08
      38.   #21 Mark B.....it does get funnier 01:42  |  Lynn 24/08/08
      39.   # 10 Durson....don`t know much do you? 01:48  |  Lynn 24/08/08
      40.   # 32, DAVID P 03:47  |  indrajaya 24/08/08
      41.   BBS News 03:58  |  Connie 24/08/08
      42.   Forget it 13:38  |  Nechama 24/08/08
      43.   Biden`s main purpose is to WAIT, WAIT, WAIT 16:27  |  * BEN JABO 24/08/08
      44.   #!BSnews - Just a long a you say it, it`s pure BS 16:29  |  * BEN JABO 24/08/08
      45.   No Jewish Democrat comments in the Russian Rosner`s main article 17:20  |  Galuteus Maximus 24/08/08
      46.   Biden is the Bridesmaid, not the bride 18:39  |  * BEN JABO 24/08/08
      47.   Indrayaja 20:35  |  Connie 24/08/08
      48.   In all cases, what ever will come out of the admin... 20:55  |  Rafa 24/08/08
      49.   AMERICAN POLITICIANS ARE ZIONIST PUPPETS 22:11  |  JACKAL 24/08/08
      50.   Lynn can spell but cant read 22:13  |  Labhras 24/08/08
      51.   #38 Lynn, thank you very much 22:31  |  Mark B. 24/08/08
      52.   Mark B. 22:56  |  Connie 24/08/08
      53.   Connie, thank you 23:01  |  Mark B. 24/08/08
      54.   Biden is an Arab! 23:20  |  MichaelF 24/08/08
      55.   #4 - redmike 23:25  |  MichaelF 24/08/08
      56.   To Mark B (#26) 23:33  |  Morris Valentine 24/08/08
      57.   Biden and goyim in Americhka 00:12  |  Nick Potzayid 25/08/08
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