Local reaction to Biden's selection as vice-presidential nominee

"Joe Biden is a great American and typifies what the Democratic party is all about — making sure hardworking middle-class Americans get a fair chance. He is a good choice that demonstrates how an Obama administration will run. He will use his solid experience to help guide the change America needs."

— Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell,

a Clinton superdelegate

"The No. 1 thing he brings to the ticket is foreign-policy experience. He's been in the Senate for 30 years, chaired the Foreign Relations Committee and worked on these issues a long time. ... He travels extensively and has very close relationships with a lot of the key leaders, certainly in the whole Israel-Palestine area in the Middle East, as well as Pakistan and Europe."

— Congressman Adam Smith, co-chairman of Obama's Washington campaign committee

"I like Joe Biden. ... Many of us were hopeful that [Obama's] selection would be [Sen. Hillary Rodham] Clinton and that's disappointing, but again not surprising."

— Linda Mitchell, a Clinton delegate and chair of the National Women's Political Caucus in Washington state

"I've worked side by side with Joe for 16 years in the U.S. Senate and I've seen his dedication to America's families firsthand. Joe has always been willing to take on the tough fights and stand up for what is right even when it's not always the popular thing to do. Joe Biden spoke up for domestic-violence protections for women when no one else was talking about it. He fought for the armor our troops need and deserve to do their jobs safely in Iraq. And he has stood with me time and again to protect our veterans, workers and children."

— Statement of Washington Sen. Patty Murray, a Clinton superdelegate

"I think compared to the others that we read were on Sen. Obama's list — Gov. [Tim] Kaine [of Virginia] and [Indiana Sen.] Evan Bayh — I think that Biden is probably better known nationally."

— Helen Howell, state chair of the Obama delegation to the Democratic National Convention

"I think Democrats are excited about Obama and excited about Biden and we feel like we have a ticket that contrasts with George Bush and John McCain. Biden voted for the war but then quickly became one of its most extreme critics. And I think Joe Biden knows how many houses he owns."

— Dwight Pelz, chairman of the Washington State Democratic Party and an Obama delegate

"Six months ago, Joe Biden said Barack Obama was not ready to be president. Biden was right then, he's right today and Washington voters will realize he's right by the November election ... No vice-presidential nominee can make up for Obama's lack of experience and judgment, especially one whose own words have documented the fact that Obama is not ready to be president."

— Luke Esser, chairman of the Washington State Republican Party

"This ends up being, I think, an incredible partnership and that's what a vice president is. The vice president is one heartbeat away, but the vice president does what the president of the United States wants to have done. ... It will be a strong team and we will restore the respect of the world. I think we'll be making much better moves overseas than we have made over the last eight years."

— King County Executive Ron Sims, an Obama superdelegate

"I think it's a great pick. I think it will serve the Democrats well in the campaign, but more importantly it will serve the country well when he's vice president. ... [Biden] will make any folks who are still wavering probably more likely to get excited and inspired and charged up about Sen. Obama."

— Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, who first met Biden in 1977 when Biden spoke at the Washington State Young Democrats convention in Ellensburg

"I was expecting actually a female, maybe because of the Hillary situation. And I was very shocked that he chose Joe Biden. Kind of a rabbit out of a hat, because Joe's been doing this for a long time. And, so I think it's a good chance for Joe as well as Barack to join forces."

— Joey Robinson, 48, a Seattle artist and "die-hard Democrat"

"[Biden] just seems to be more of an authentic candidate, someone who has kind of been through the mill. He might add more experience and balance. ... I just think that they might make a good team together."

— Mike Abbasi, 45, a Seattle Obama supporter

"Seems like a very vanilla, safe choice. Sounds like John Kerry all over again with John Edwards. What a terrible pick that was. I would really have liked to see [New Mexico Gov.] Bill Richardson. ... If he'd have chose Richardson I would have voted for him."

— Miguel, a 30-year-old Republican from San Antonio, Texas, who declined to give his last name

"I think it'll really help. The balance will really help. That was a good choice on his part. Go Barack! I love Barack Obama."

— Kelsey Wilk, 18, who just moved to Seattle from California

"I thought of Hillary as vice president but I'd never thought of Biden because I'd never heard of him [before Saturday] so I have to start thinking about it now, what he's about."

— Obama supporter Hayward Gregory, 70, Tukwila