Mass. strategist and longtime friend applauds Biden pick

John Martilla, Boston based political consultant and longtime friend of U.S. Sen. Joe Biden, praised Biden's selection as presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama's running mate Saturday.

"I think it's a fabulous choice," he said. "Of course, I'm totally biased."

Martilla consulted on Biden's (D-Del.) first campaign Senate campaign in 1972. In the 36 years since then, Martilla and Biden have developed a close relationship. Martilla called Biden a "dear friend."

There are two reasons why Martilla, whose consulting company, Martilla Communications is well-known nationally, believes Biden is a good pick for Obama. First, Biden is "the leading expert on foreign policy and national security" in the country, Martilla said. "In terms of what America needs, I think it's a great choice for the country."

Second, Biden will help Obama politically. Biden "loves people and loves to campaign," Martilla said. His tenacity for campaigning, Martilla said, resonates particularly well with blue-collar voters that Obama has had trouble courting so far.

"[Biden's] affection for average folks is going to become very clear, very quickly," he said. "Joe really cares about people. He's always interested in spending time with average citizens...He comes from humble origins and those origins are still in his DNA."

That appeal should help Obama in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan, three pivotal electoral college states. Born in Scranton, Martilla said Biden is "kind of the third senator of Pennsylvania."

Martilla also that he hadn't planned on attending the Democratic National Convention in Denver next week but now, with Biden's selection, he is scrambling to find a way there.