DENVER - John McCain’s campaign suggested Sunday that rival Barack Obama snubbed Hillary Rodham Clinton as his running mate because of her criticism during the battle for the Democratic nomination. Obama’s campaign dismissed the claim as the candidate praised Joe Biden, the man he did choose.

Campaigning in the battleground state of Wisconsin, Obama said he was "absolutely convinced" fellow senator Biden was right for the job.

"He’s got the passion to lift up middle-class Americans, he hasn’t forgotten his working-class roots, he has the expertise that will make him a great counselor on international crises that might come up," Obama told reporters before boarding his plane in Eau Claire, Wis.

Earlier, speaking at a barbecue at a lakeside gun and rod park in Eau Claire, Obama said both he and Biden had humble roots and predicted the veteran lawmaker from Delaware would be "one of the greatest vice presidents in the history of the United States."

Meanwhile, a new McCain ad, the second since Obama made his vice presidential choice, challenged Obama’s motives in passing over Clinton, his former top rival, and choosing Biden, who dropped out of the presidential contest after a poor showing in Iowa, the first contest. Chief Obama strategist David Axelrod insisted Biden was "a better fit."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Biden "has challenged the status quo. And he’s even criticized Senator Obama, so it’s a tribute to Senator Obama that he’s not just choosing a yes man but a person who will speak what he believes."

Obama was also planned campaign stops in Iowa, Missouri and Montana before the nomination becomes his Thursday in Denver. He spoke in Eau Claire, a city of 65,000 about 85 miles east of St. Paul, Minn., site of the Republican convention the following week.

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written by Andrew