State’s youngest delegate on Obama’s VP pick

Benjamin Goodman, 18, of Kennebunk is the youngest delegate to the Democratic National Convention. He is a Barack Obama supporter, and sent in the following statement regarding the selection of Joe Biden as the Vice Presidential nominee.

Goodman recently graduated from Kennebunk High School, and will attend the University of Maine in the fall.

His statement:

“I can't tell you how excited I am by the now-complete ticket of my party.  In Barack Obama, we have a candidate with a vision of a better and brighter America, and a plan to implement the changes our country needs now.  In Joe Biden, we'll have a Vice Presidential nominee who has unparalleled foreign policy credentials and he knows the ways of Washington–without becoming a creature of Washington.

“Senator Biden's speech today was truly awe-inspiring.  Only in America can a working-class kid from Scranton overcome adversity and run on a major party ticket.  

“Denver Major John Hickenlooper today said that "Barack Obama couldn't pick a better vice president."  I couldn't agree more.  For three decades, Senator Joe Biden has been at the forefront of the most tremendous policy changes and advances in this country.  From authoring the Violence Against Women Act to his strong support for the Family Medical Leave Act, Joe Biden hasn't forgotten his middle class roots.

“Senator Biden hasn't forgotten where he came from.  He doesn't spend his time trying to decide between seven different options to hang has hat at night; he commutes every day by Amtrak from Wilmington to Washington.

“I understand that many supporters of Senator Clinton wanted to see the New York Senator on the ticket with Senator Obama.  Our party and our proposed platform are stronger than ever today because of the real primary discussion that took place across this country. 

“If those who did not initially support Senator Obama do not all get on board with our Democratic ticket, we're faced with eight more years of the same failed Republican policies. John McCain will extremist judges on the court what will move against reproductive rights.  He'll make no progress on our troubled economy, healthcare and continue our engagement in Iraq.   

“It's time to unite around Barack Obama and Joe Biden, and begin the long work it will take to ensure victory for the future of America.”