Sen. Barack Obama has selected Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware to be his running mate. This completes the Democratic Party ticket. The two will appear together today at a rally at 2:00 p.m. CST in Springfield, Illinois.

Is it a good pick? Yes, and for many reasons. Biden’s a credible source on an array of issues, including foreign affairs. He’s a superior debater and performs very well on combative talk shows like “Meet the Press” and “This Week.” He has a unique personal story that will resonate with voters across the country as they get to know him. His state of Delaware is partially consumed by the Philadelphia media market, and he has family from Scranton, PA. Biden’s also a fighter. He’ll be able to attack the Republican record effectively, and he won’t back down from the negative campaign McCain intends to run.

John McCain launched a negative ad this morning. The claim is that Biden once made a comment suggesting Obama isn’t ready to be President. Really? That’s it. No attack on Biden’s record, or that he’s not fit to assume the Presidency should it ever come to that?

Oh, and McCain’s ad has to confirm that he’s not picking Mitt Romney to be his VP. Romney blasted McCain on just about everything: immigration, campaign finance, energy, lack of understanding on the economy, same sex marriage and climate change. And this is funny too.

The Biden pick has to give the McCain campaign pause. Is the McCain camp really going to put Minn. Gov. Tim Pawlenty up against him? I’m hearing from credible sources that he tops the short list.

That said, a smart and politically nimble move would be for McCain to put former Penn. Gov. Tom Ridge on the ticket and let the cards fall where they may. Will Evangelicals and other pro-life conservatives really stay home because Ridge is pro-choice? My money says no. After all, McCain has already pledged to put more John Roberts and Sam Alito’s on the Supreme Court if he’s given the chance.  Ridge would bring executive experience and foreign policy heft (he served as Sec. of Homeland Security) to match Biden, especially in the debate.

Biden is a very good pick. Advantage Obama.