It didn't unfold exactly as Senator Barack Obama and his staff had planned, but Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr.



of Delaware is Obama's choice of a running mate on the Democratic Party ticket.

The plan was to announce the choice via a text message to supporters, and after the word got out, Obama's staff scrambled to get a text message out ahead of their apparent schedule, according to news reports.

Here is the message:

TEXT MESSAGE TO SUPPORTERS:

Barack has chosen Senator Joe Biden to be our VP nominee.  Watch the first Obama-Biden rally live at 3pm ET on www.BarackObama.com. Spread the word!


EMAIL TO SUPPORTERS:

Friend --

I have some important news that I want to make official.

I've chosen Joe Biden to be my running mate.

Joe and I will appear for the first time as running mates this afternoon in Springfield, Illinois -- the same place this campaign began more than 19 months ago.

I'm excited about hitting the campaign trail with Joe, but the two of us can't do this alone.  We need your help to keep building this movement for change.

Please let Joe know that you're glad he's part of our team.  Share your personal welcome note and we'll make sure he gets it:

http://my.barackobama.com/welcomejoe

Thanks for your support,

Barack

P.S. -- Make sure to turn on your TV at 2:00 p.m. Central Time to join us or watch online at http://www.BarackObama.com.


A pitch for donations to the Obama-Biden team was posted at the Obama Web site: Here is the solicitation:

Joe Biden brings extensive foreign policy experience, an impressive record of collaborating across party lines, and a direct approach to getting the job done.

We have our team, but we also have our work cut out for us.

Barack Obama and Joe Biden are the leaders who will bring the change our country needs. But they can't do it alone.

Show your support for the Obama-Biden ticket by making a donation today.