Changeling

After all the suspense, the text message promise, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama picks Joe Biden of Delaware. Now that's change you can believe in. Isn't this the guy who said during the primary season that the junior senator from Illinois didn't have the experience to be president? Maybe that was another Joe Biden. The one without hair plugs.

As The Hound predicted, the press corps knew before the text message nation did. Somebody leaked the Biden pick and most newspapers, even with old media deadlines, either called it or intimated the Delaware Democrat was Obama's choice for running mate.

But this is presidential politics and while Dems party this week with a Rocky Mountain high, The Hound has to question this old pol choice of a running mate. Obama has given Republican John McCain a pretty good opening when it comes to experience. Obama might as well tabbed former Georgia Sen. Sam Nunn for his veep, although he might be the secretary of defense in an Obama administration.

Biden is a Washington insider who doesn't bring many electoral votes to the ticket. Is this a baby boomer choice on Obama's part, to lure the largest voting bloc into thinking he's one of theirs with Biden's gray hair flowing. Bet Biden even knows the words to David Crosby's "Almost Cut My Hair."

McCain can't do worse in his veep choice because it appears Obama once again relies on the establishment pols, whether they be Chicago machine regulars or inside the Beltway establishment to help him in his quest. The Hound forecasts this is one of many changes Obama will be making on the road to the White House.