State Democratic Party Chairman Comments on Biden Selection for VP

From: News Release   Filed 08/24/08  GCN

Mississippi Democratic Party Chairman Jamie Franks released the following statement on the selection of U.S. Sen. Joe Biden as the vice presidential running mate for Barack Obama.

“Mississippi delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Denver are excited at the prospect of having Sen. Biden serve as our country’s vice president,” Franks said. “Sen. Obama made an excellent choice, one that will help lead our party to victory.

“Sen. Biden is a rare mix: An expert on foreign policy whose heart and values are firmly rooted in the middle class. Sen. Biden gives Sen. Obama a running mate who is an accomplished, well-respected statesman as well as a dynamic, dependable leader.

“Sen. Biden is an expert on foreign policy, having served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for three decades; he often is the most knowledgeable voice on foreign policy in the U.S. Senate. In today’s world, that is incredibly important.

“If Republicans want to talk about Mississippi values, they should look at themselves.

“Mississippi won’t forget that Republican presidential nominee John McCain and GOP U.S. Senate candidate Roger Wicker voted against providing aid for victims of Hurricane Katrina. That’s unconscionable and unacceptable – and one more example of how electing them will ensure a third Bush term. Mississippi and the nation simply can’t afford that to happen.”