Maine Senate Majority Leader Elizabeth Mitchell, D-Vassalboro, sees strength in the addition of Sen. Joe Biden, and his 30 years of experience in the U.S. Senate, as presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama's running mate.

House Minority Leader Josh Tardy, R-Newport, looks at the same experience and sees it as a sign of weakness -- in Obama.

Obama named Biden, of Delaware, as his vice presidential running mate early Saturday. Biden, 65, has served more than 30 years in the Senate and was, at various times, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee and the Judiciary Committee.

"I think he's a very good choice," Mitchell said of Biden Saturday. "He brings the foreign policy and legislative experience to balance the ticket."

Mitchell said Biden's experience in the legislature could help Obama get things accomplished as president.

Tardy agrees Biden is an experienced legislator but considers Obama's selection of him as his vice president candidate an acknowledgment that Obama himself doesn't have enough experience.

"Really, the choice of Joe Biden, in my opinion, is tantamount to an admission Barack Obama himself lacks the necessary experience to be president," Tardy said. He added he sees the selection of Biden as an indication Obama has become uneasy with his "campaign for change," theme.

University of Maine at Farmington political science professor Jim Melcher, of Augusta, said Biden gives Obama a running mate with extensive experience, particularly in foreign policy, someone well-versed in the legislative process, and someone Obama felt he could work with.

He said Biden's personality could be considered a positive for some, and a negative for others.

"He's not thought of as the warmest person," Melcher said of Biden. "So there could be some backlash against that, old-style, combative politics. But he could also give (Obama) somebody who can play the traditional role of a vice presidential candidate and go after the opposition more. Obama has been slow to criticize (McCain) in the past. That's just his style. But I don't think there is anybody you can pick that won't make someone unhappy."

Mitchell, an ardent supporter of Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., said she is not disappointed Clinton was not selected as Obama's vice presidential running mate.

"Even though I've been a supporter of Senator Clinton, I didn't want her to be the VP choice," Mitchell said. "I think she can serve better in another role -- in the senate or perhaps a cabinet post."

McCain has not yet selected a running mate.

Tardy said he, personally, likes the idea of former presidential candidate and Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney on the ticket with McCain.

Melcher said it is hard to tell whether the selection of Biden would impact who McCain selects as his vice presidential candidate.

"That's anyone's guess right now, they're keeping a pretty tight lid on it," he said. "Nothing will surprise me."

Keith Edwards -- 621-5647

kedwards@centralmaine.com