By GEOFF EARLE
Posted: 4:35 am
August 31, 2008
DUBLIN, Ohio - Barack Obama is ceding more of the spotlight to Joe Biden - and imploring voters to compare his running mate with Sarah Palin, John McCain's surprise vice-presidential pick.
Speaking yesterday before some 18,000 people at a rally near Columbus, Obama amped up the praise for the man he called "one of the great statesmen of our time."
He led the crowd away from chants of "O-ba-ma" to cheers for "Bi-den, Bi-den, Bi-den" and mentioned the Delaware senator's name several times, including as part of his plan to withdraw troops from Iraq.
"Joe Biden and I," Obama promised the crowd, "will make sure that we are as careful getting out as [President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney] were careless getting in."
In Dublin, when asked about Palin's executive experience, Obama, who McCain has said is not "ready to lead," took the high road.
"You guys can take a look at Governor Palin's record and Joe Biden's record and make your own judgments in terms of who you think has what it takes to be an outstanding vice president," the Democratic presidential nominee said.
"I feel confident about my choice. I'll let John McCain talk about his."
