Democratic Presidential Nominee Barack Obama officially announced his running mate early this morning. Senator Obama has selected Senator Joe Biden of Delaware, pictured with his wife, Jill. Biden, who has spent more than 35 years in the Senate, is considered one of the most influential voices in American Foreign Policy.

Obama and Biden campaigned together at a near capacity rally this afternoon in Springfield, IL, the place where Obama announced his Presidential candidacy nineteen months ago. Obama praised Biden saying, “Joe Biden is that rare mix - for decades, he has brought change to Washington, but Washington hasn’t changed him.”

Biden, in turn, praised Obama while criticizing his Republican opponent, Senator John McCain, saying, “these times require more than a good soldier, they require a wise leader.”

Analysts view Obama’s choice as a safe one. Biden has a strong following among working-class Democrats and is well-respected inside the Senate. He is also known as the “third senator from Pennsylvania” because he grew up in the Keystone State. Biden is also seen as potentially helpful to Obama in gaining the support of women, as he has worked to fight domestic violence during his long career in the Senate.

Many political analystist have favorable things to say about the ticket. Reid Wilson writes in an article on realclearpolitics.com:

Joe Biden is one of a few people, along with Ted Kennedy, George Mitchell, Sam Nunn and perhaps a handful of others, who can be called a senior statesman in the Democratic Party. Experienced, intelligent and savvy, Obama’s choice, in retrospect, could not have been anyone else.

A commentator on cable news this morning pointed out that the ticket has a positive balance now, calling it “change meets experience.”

However, not everyone is thrilled with the Obama-Biden ticket. Ron Fournier, a well-known Republican and AP reporter says of Obama’s choice:

The picks say something profound about Obama: For all his self-confidence, the 47-year-old Illinois senator worried that he couldn’t beat Republican John McCain without help from a seasoned politician willing to attack. The Biden pick is the next logistical step in an Obama campaign that has become more negative — a strategic decision that may be necessary but threatens to run counter to his image.

Watch speeches from Obama and Biden below.

(Video courtesy msnbc.com. Photo courtesy wsj.com)