Local strategist and longtime friend applauds Biden pick

John Marttila, Boston based political consultant and long time 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."

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

There are two reasons why Marttila, whose consulting company, Marttila 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, Marttila 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," Marttila said. His tenacity for campaigning, Marttila 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, Marttila said Biden is "kind of the third senator of Pennsylvania."

Marttila 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.