Reid, Dem Leaders Line Up To Kiss The Ring

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was quick to praise the newly minted Democratic vice presidential running mate today, issuing a glowing statement of support for his Democratic colleague.

“Joe Biden has been fighting his entire career for the change that Sen. Obama champions,” Reid said. “He is a dedicated family man who has been an effective chairman of both the Foreign Affairs and Judiciary committees, has been a sage voice on many of the toughest foreign policy issues of our time, and has long been a strong advocate for protecting American families and making our communities safer.”

Reid of Nevada and Biden of Delaware have served together in the Senate for 22 years.

Other Democratic luminaries also rushed to praise Biden as he prepared to meet Barack Obama at an afternoon rally in Springfield, Ill.

"Delegates here in Denver are already buzzing with strong enthusiasm for the Obama- Biden ticket,” said Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean, calling Biden “a strong leader, fierce advocate and devoted family man with values rooted in the best of what America stands for.”

In the House, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Biden would bring middle-class values, “the values he grew up with, the values of his constituents and the values of the American people - to this campaign and to put our country back on track.”

And Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen of Maryland called the Obama-Biden ticket “a powerful force for change and an important partner in growing our Democratic majority in Congress.”