Biden takes the stage

TAMPA -- Just before 11:30 a.m. and to an outburst of cheers, Joe Biden took to the podium at the USF Sun Dome.

Biden thanked event organizers and said it was the fault of U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Florida) that he was Obama's V.P. pick. Nelson had thrown support to Sen. Hilary Clinton earlier in the race, and Biden said he had "beaten up" Obama so much, that Obama said, "Okay, okay, I'll pick Joe Biden," a friend of Nelson's.

At the mention of Biden's recent debate against Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the crowd went wild, banging the floors and screaming. Biden also applauded Obama's performance in last night's debate against John McCain.

Kim Wilmath, Times staff writer

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