This message is brought to you from Denver, where I am attending the convention.

I'm going to be nice and assume that people are thinking that since Joe Biden is older, white, and in the US Senate, he is automatically rich. Most certainly I hope noone is spreading this falsehood knowingly. Biden is among the poorest of Senators in our Congress. here is an article that gives details about his net worth as of June 2008. It was the TOP result when I typed the words "biden net worth' into Google. It takes a few seconds to find out the untruths that are being spread already by conservatives.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080824/ap_on_..._biden_financesQUOTE
Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., chairman Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama's running mate.
Earned income: $298,200.
Honoraria, all donated to charity: $1,025.
Major assets: Bank accounts, mutual funds and insurance policies, $59,000-$366,000.
Major sources of unearned income: Income from various mutual funds, dividends from Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. policies, $2,501-$5,000.
Major liabilities: Loans against cash value of life insurance policies, $15,001-$50,000; loan co-signer to pay for son's college expenses, $15,001-$50,000; line of credit, J. Wilmington Savings Fund Society, $100,001-$250,000.
Gifts: None.
Narrative: Biden collected $112,500, the second half of his advance, for delivering the manuscript of his book, "Promises to Keep," to publisher Random House in July 2007. He also earned $20,500 in teaching stipends from Widener University. The unsuccessful presidential candidate appeared on "Real Time with Bill Maher" and "The Late Show with David Letterman" last year, collecting $1,025 appearance fees for each that went to charity.
Overall Joe Biden is a good, solid choice. He has good foreign policy experience. While he did vote for the Iraq War, he has since stated it was a big mistake that he'd like a "Do Over' to fix. I happen to respect the people who are willing to admit when they admit mistakes.
Even more than Joe Biden as an individual, this choice reflects something I have wanted to see in American Leadership for a long time. When our leaders surround themselves with 'true believers' and 'yes men', our country is hurt. It doesn't matter if it's a Democrat or a Republican. Surrounding yourself with people only of a like mind, or who will not speak their mind is a big mistake. Obama, as President, will be the person making the final decision, but selecting Joe Biden is a clear signal that he will surround himself with smart, experienced people who will tell him what they really think, not what he wants to hear. At least Obama's people don't have to worry about him flying into a rage and ordering a nuclear strike on half the world.