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In this Dec. 13, 1972 photo, the newly-elected Democratic senator from Delaware, Joe Biden, is shown in Washington. Barack Obama selected Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware late Friday night Aug. 22, 2008 to be his vice presidential running mate, according to a Democratic official, balancing his ticket with an older congressional veteran well-versed in foreign policy and defense issues. In Washington, Biden, 65, is known as a collegial figure even when he's competitive _ one who can spin flowery praise one moment and biting fulmination the next. (AP Photo)