A true maverick: an honest, smart, straight-talking tough guy who has foreign policy chops and working-class credentials. I don't agree with every vote he's ever cast (or everything that's come out of his mouth), but I trust that he really gets what's at stake in this election: a moment of truth for our country, its values and its place on the global stage. Biden's an inspired choice that further affirms both Obama's own intelligence and his desire to surround himself with even more intelligent people than himself. I'm relieved and hopeful.

(However, I could have done without that coy media-baiting build-up all week; that was pretty childish. All that manufactured drama made me think it was going to be someone like Hillary or Gore or -- I don't know -- Schwarzenegger; someone completely unexpected. I like Biden, but he's not really that much of a surprise. The last couple of weeks have been pretty lame, Barack - get it together for Denver and beyond!)