The race for the White House entered a new, decisive phase yesterday as Barack Obama introduced Senator Joe Biden of Delaware, a seasoned Washington veteran, as his running mate, describing him as ready to \u201cstep in and be president\u201d\u009d.<\/p>\n
In the same historic setting at the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois, where he put on the mantle of President Abraham Lincoln to launch his campaign last year, Obama described Biden as a \u201cstatesman with sound judgment who doesn\u2019t have to hide behind bluster to keep America strong\u201d\u009d.<\/p>\n
In a declaration of war, Republicans swiftly moved to kick Biden by pointing to his criticisms of Obama, their disagreements over the Iraq war and his reputation for verbosity.<\/p>\n
From now on, the rival camps will be battling hammer and tongs and the campaign can only get nastier.<\/p>\n