obama_biden.jpgBarack Obama has selected Sen. Joe Biden, a veteran lawmaker from Delaware, as his choice for a running mate, according to his official website and a text message he sent to supporters in the wee hours of Saturday morning.

“Joe Biden brings extensive foreign policy experience, an impressive record of collaborating across party lines, and a direct approach to getting the job done,’’ the Obama campaign states on its official website, BarackObama.com. “We have our team, but we also have our work cut out for us.’’

Obama’s campaign said it would announce his choice for a running mate in a text message to supporters. But the news leaked out to reporters before the text message was sent at 3:30 a.m. Saturday morning.

“Barack has chosen Senator Joe Biden to be our VP nominee,’’ the text message states. “Watch the first Obama-Biden rally live at 3pm ET on http://www.BarackObama.com. Spread the word!’’

By selecting Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee seeks to overcome critics who cite his lack of experience (Biden has 35 years of experience in the Senate) and, at the same time, to attract white, blue-collar voters who have been a challenge for his campaign.

bbennett@sfltimes.com