Hawai'i's leading Democrats lined up yesterday to endorse U.S. Sen. Joe Biden as Barack Obama's running mate on the party's presidential ticket.

Brian Schatz, chairman of the Democratic Party of Hawai'i, said from the Democratic National Convention city of Denver yesterday that Biden is "an excellent choice because he's prepared to be president and there is no one more experienced in the area of foreign policy."

Biden, 65, is a longtime Washington insider who has served in the Senate for more than 30 years and has run for president twice.

He is chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee and those foreign policy credentials are expected to bolster the party's ticket on that critical issue, where polls indicate that Republican nominee Sen. John McCain of Arizona holds an advantage with voters.

The Obama-Biden ticket debuted yesterday in Springfield, Ill., at the Old State Capitol where Obama, who grew up in Hawai'i, launched his presidential campaign 18 months ago.

"Joe won't just make a good vice president. He will make a great one," Obama said.

"These times call for a total change in Washington's worldview," Biden said. "These times require more than a good soldier. They require a wise leader ... who can deliver the change we need."

In Honolulu, U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie was especially enthusiastic about Biden.

"Senator Obama has chosen a strong partner in Senator Biden, and I couldn't be more optimistic about the Democratic ticket. Joe Biden is a blue-collar Democrat, a straight shooter who speaks his mind and doesn't sugarcoat what he has to say."

Abercrombie also cited Biden's "considerable knowledge of foreign policy."

In a statement, U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka said: "Joe Biden will provide more than three decades of U.S. Senate experience, sound international background, debate support, and geographical balance. The VP announcement timing is almost perfect."

U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono said Obama and Biden have a different "kind of partnership than we have seen the past eight years. The Obama-Biden team will be a true collaboration of strength, as Obama puts our country back on track."

Said Andy Winer, the state director of Obama's presidential campaign:

"I think Senator Biden brings tremendous experience in foreign policy and also his service on the Senate Judiciary Committee to the table.".