Obama picks Biden

WASHINGTON-US Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama on Saturday picked up as his running mate Joseph Biden, an influential Senator who advocated long-term ties with Pakistan. He supported ‘Pakistan policy’ as opposed to a ‘Musharraf policy’ while the former Pak President was still in power.

Most experts and analysts believe that Biden, who is Chairman of the powerful House Foreign Affairs Committee, as Vice president would shore up Obama’s inexperience in foreign policy and defence, but at the same time carry risks of undermining his image as an agent of change.

In a move aimed at balancing his ticket with a Congressional veteran well-versed in foreign and defence issues, areas labelled as weak by his Republican opponents.