It's good to part of the Ohio delegation in Denver. They've got the closest hotel to the convention. Last night they took in a private event at the beautiful outdoor Red Rocks Amphitheater. This before the convention even officially starts. And they're excited about Barack Obama picking Delaware Senator Joe Biden to run as his second in command. That includes Hillary Clinton delegate Jan Roller of Cleveland.
Jan Roller - experience
:12 "I think Biden's a great choice he brings the experience, the history, just the wealth of experience that we need in foreign policy. Any question of that for the Democratic ticket is now absolutely quelled."
Cuyahoga County Commissioner Peter Lawson Jones agrees. He says the selection says a lot about Obama's judgment.
Jones - political
:13 "He didn't do what was political. Because Delaware only carries political, because Delaware only carries 3 Electoral College votes. Instead he went and got somebody who has extraordinary experience."
Jones says that experience goes beyond foreign affairs and could help Obama nab the crucial swing state of Ohio.
Jones - hard scrabble
:17 "He has authored some of the major crimes bills of the past 20 and 30 years. And somebody who's stood up for civil rights and women's rights. And who himself comes from a hard scrabble, working class- Scranton, Pennsylvania background."
Biden has been criticized for being intense and wordy. And some of those words can go over the line. Warren State Representative Tom Letson says he was won over by Biden's personality.
Letson - personable
:22 "I met Senator Biden in 2006 and had a nice quick discussion with him and found him to be very warm, very personable and the kind of person that you wanted to have a conversation with. And his eye to eye contact was very engaging. So on a personal level, he won me over pretty good."
Republicans also say Biden's six terms in the U.S. Senate hardly make him an agent of change. State Representative Barbara Boyd of Cleveland Heights says that's ridiculous.
Boyd - helps
:06 "There's nothing wrong about knowing what goes on inside of Washington. In fact, it helps you out quite a bit."
Boyd says Republicans are rightfully scared about Biden being on the ticket and that he will handle whoever they choose to run against him- especially in debates.
Boyd - reckoned
:10 "Doesn't make any difference who comes to the table on the other side, the other side of the aisle. He is certainly one to be reckoned with."
Boyd and the rest of Ohio's delegates will have the chance to see Biden in action on Wednesday night. That's when he will give his vice-presidential address to the Democratic Convention. Word is Ohio's delegates are going to have some of the best seats in the house.
For 90.3, Jodi Breisler, Capitol News Connection in Denver.