A nice story, and gives me renewed hope that the Obama-Biden ticket will indeed help direct us out of the morass of the past 8 years.

"How random, how cool." Indeed.

What was all the waiting about? If Obama were to get that 3:00a.m. phone call, would it take him this long to make a decision??? I cannot understand his time-delay...how fair was his method of notification via text message to older people who do not have a PC or a cell phone? Are younger people more important to make him win? But, has he been "fair" to all American people in his announcement of his V.P. pick? Alot of "change" questions unsettled in my mind. Hillary Clinton would have picked up that 3 a.m. phone call...and that is what we need.....experience, compassion...and all she campaigned for. A sad scenario for America!!

As an Obama supporter, I have always been curious who the VP pick would be. The truth is, I have not done much research into any of the possible choices, as I was going to wait for the choice to be made, then form my opinions about him.

This is the first article I read that is specifically about Sen Biden. I must it is a good first impression. Judging by this encounter, he seems to be a down to earth individual. So far so good in my book.

Barak has made the best choice for the party and the NATION.
Let Macbush know that American glory will be once more proclaimed.

Biden is an excellent choice. What people are missing here is, a president is only as good as his team. I have a sign on my desk "you might be smarter than me, but not smarter than my team". It should be mandatory for all presidential appointees to be named before the election so we could see who will really run the government.

By now you know that Senator Biden will indeed be Senator Obama's running-mate. I think you were very lucky to catch him in a quiet time, because now that he's the official VP candidate, it will be like catching flies with chopsticks to snag that kind of conversation with him again!

Hey Cal, this was great to read. You are a fantastic journalist and I enjoy seeing your work from here in Australia on CNN all the time. As always stay safe and get a good rest. You deserve it.

I was really impressed with your article right up to the point you said reporters report facts not opinions. What world have you been living in?

Cool, i consider you to be lucky to have a conversation with the next US vice president.

Obama/Biden 08

Senator Biden was a good choice by Senator Obama who needs Biden's experience and stability to balance the future President's youth and zeal.

Oh, how lucky you are! You crossed paths with a possible winner for the vp position. And not only that, you encountered him just before the news was announced that he was the one Sen. Barack Obama picked. How cool is that. And oh btw, great coverage of the Georgia-Russia conflict. I was really glued to the television while this was going on. Till next time..

Nic,
from the Philippines

Obama and Biden show's how there all full of it, They argue in a lot of topic's, if biden said obama is not ready for being president how does he then run for vice pres.? Isn't this same old politics from washington that obama is so against of?

Nice piece. And Kyle, it's time to put throw in the bitterness towel, don't you think?

Fortune favors the brave.

Isn´t anybody asking themselves about how he has neglected his brother George Obama in Kenya. Why should Barack care about us?

I have thought for over 2 years that Joe Biden would make for an excellent president. Obama's wiser than I thought. He recognized his foreign affairs deficiency and selected a running mate who has an excellent knowledge of foreign affairs. Now let's hope Obama picks good economic advisors as most U.S. citizens want the economy turned around just as much, if not more, than an end to the Iraq war.

Btw, cool story Cal, thanks.

Ted

I kinda liked the way Senator Biden turned the tables on Cal Perry, squeezing him for information and opinions at first rather than the other way around. Like beating the reporter at his own game... I had to laugh. Nice story, Mr. Perry.

What's your point Kyle? One second after the text is sent, the mendia gets it and the world knows. Move on. Hilary has lost. Obama won and he picked his VP. It is idiots like you, ignorant and full of bitterness that could cause the White House to go back to the Republicans and more war and uncertainty for Americans for 4 more years.

Biden was a good choice, even though he(Barack) could have gone with somebody a little younger. So we can be pretty sure Biden will not be running for president. To the comment about Baracks half-brother first he never knew the man till recently secondly there have been several interviews of George in all of them he said the same thing he is happy for his brother and happy to have met him but him will not accept, take, or ask him for anything. Not everybody is like us in the States always wanting something.

Er, Joe Biden approaches a CNN reporter for a "casual" conversation days ahead of being announced as VP? Sounds like a deftly-played move to me. Now, I like Obama and Biden, and truly hope they win, so I'm not complaining. Biden saw an opportunity for good press, and the CNN reporter fell for it hook, line and sinker. What worries me is that the reporter, in this article, didn't mention (or, *shudder*, consider) the possibility of having been spun.

You underestimate yourself – Sen. Biden knew that you spent a great deal of time covering Iraq and no doubt have your own opinions about the situation there. Any responsible politician should and would want you to share your insight. You may want to consider whether you should be publishing private conversations online – all the same, it is a cool story that speaks a lot about Sen. Biden's character.

David berger muses: "if biden said obama is not ready for being president how does he then run for vice pres.? "

IMO the decision shows a lot of cojonnes on Obama's part. Obama is intelligent, and wants a scrapper, not a yes-man, as his VP, somebody he can bounce off of and get fresh viewpoints from, not someone who's just going to lick his boots. Selecting someone who has criticized you in the past shows your confidence.

You were fortunate to meet a man with integrity. I think Biden will make an excellent Vice President. The simple act of asking questions is indicative of a man who will gather facts before giving advice or making decisions. Perhaps we may get lucky this time around.

I think Obama has made an excellent choice. Biden is as frank as you can get. I wish them well.

Well written story. And congrats on randomly meeting the next Vice President of the United States. :o)

Maybe those 3:00 am calls should be directed to Biden - not Obama. After all, we'd want someone with experience responding to those calls quickly and decisively, and we all know that the very green Mr. Obama hardly fills that criteria.

Maybe the Democratic ticket should be flipped - Biden for President with Obama for Vice President. That way, Obama still has the opportunity to learn on the job.

Maybe Mr. Obama would have served our country better if he had gained the necessary experiences before running for President. Middle managers who are thrust into the CEO seat hardly ever succeed and often do extraordinary damage.

Wise´n brave choice Sen. Obama. The Obama/Biden government will be a self critical one which in turn means well thoughtout decisions of the highest possible quality will be made. Saving the USA embarassment to name but one. Mc Cain wants to offer a government in which he is surrounded by puppets.......not for me.

Woot, Not Hillary

Yes!!!

Thank you for your enlightening glimpse. I love that Joe started by asking questions. I would imagine that is why Senator "Amtrak" has stayed in touch with people over the years as he rides the train 250 miles round trip to his home every night. Over the 29 years he has probably asked people thousands of questions.
How many senators stay in touch like that?
How many senators have a net worth of $100,000?
He's one of the good guys.

As a teacher, I would give Barack Obama's biggest executive decision a grade he is accustomed to earning: A +

As I read some coments here, I am glad some of you will never serve in congress. Simply because someone does not agree with your particular view does not make them an enemy. As Obama stated he needs someone who can disagree with his views. It makes an awsome ticket. This is what we call widom and sound judgement.

Hi, i always admire your reportage of stories. Quite incisive i must confess.
4 Obama's choice of Biden as VP in spite Biden's derision in the course of the primaries, Barack's courage and magnanimity must be commended. I hope Biden appreciates Barack's large heart and keep straight with him.

From the article...

"We spoke at length about combat hospitals in Iraq — places I’ve spent a great deal of time. You could see it in his eyes — a veteran himself, he cares so deeply for the young U.S. men and women stationed overseas."

I cannot find any sources on the internet to confirm that Joe Biden is a war veteran. While being a veteran is by no means a requirement for a politician to be considered for office, I am sad that this otherwise well-written article did not check its facts.

Obama´s decision to choose Biden as his running mate is a very sound choice that only a smart person who means well can make.For all those idiots who are still moaning about his judgement,they should look at their own lives first and see where their choices has gotten them compared to where Obama´s has gotten him in such a short time.We use to love and respect America before the American people handed their country to the Bush family to use and manipulate for their personal vendetta against Sadam Hussein.Nowadays everything American is regarded with scorn and sneers as a racist "big for nothing" country who prey on and abuse their minority populations in order to feel good.
I hope Obama and Biden will bring "our America" again.

That sure now is a real random yet you did meet the running mate for Sen. Obama!!! I sure hope that Obama wins. This is history in the making. Biden, I am sure will balance the ticket. And he has enough experience in the Senate.

Interesting post. Cal obviously has more experience with what is happening in Iraq than a Washington desk jockey. I am glad to hear Biden is seeking more experiential information/education. That will help him do the job he has been elected for. As for VP choice: I am not sure how a life-long bureaucrat who has no executive decision making experience is supposed to compliment another senator with no real decision making track record. Hopefully McCain will add an executive type to his ticket.

I was delighted to read this. I've read lot about Obama, including his own writing, but Biden was just a name I came across on CNN from time to time. I didn't know what to make of the news this morning, but now I do. Thanks. Between them they can give the entire world new hope, not just the US. I know that's a heavy burden, but that's the way it is.

Another good decision by Obama! Biden for VP.

What a daring reporter you are! Obama/Biden a perfect 'cocktail' to bring back the glory to US citizens.

Wonderful post. Thanks for sharing your experience.

The choice of senator Joe Biden made my day. These are a fantastic pair and will match the united states to its former glory that had been lost in the past eight years. Congratulations democrats

"How cool?" You sound like a star struck teenager. As a native of the Delaware Valley, I can ssure you that Senator Biden isn't as popular with the locals as the liberal media would have you believe. His hair plugs, slick style and loud mouth style are an embarrassment to many of us...and I wager he'll contribute to Obama's ultimate undoing.