CNN: Obama Taps Biden for Ticket

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama has chosen Delaware Sen. Joe Biden as his running mate, CNN reported Saturday.

The report said Democratic Party sources confirmed Obama had decided on Biden for the No. 2 spot on the Democratic ticket.

The U.S. Secret Service had deployed a detail of agents to provide protection for Biden, ABC News reported Friday. ABC News also reported, as did several other news organizations, that two people on Obama’s shortlist of potential running mates — Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh and Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine — had been told they had not been selected.

Kaine was in Denver Friday night and had no plans to leave Saturday, and Bayh was at his Washington home Friday, ABC said.

Biden was observed Friday night at his Wilmington, Del., home, where family members have been gathering.

The Obama campaign had no comment on the report, ABC said.

Obama plans an appearance in Springfield, Ill., Saturday that most observers say will feature a public appearance by his preferred running mate.

The campaign is expected to notify its supporters by e-mail and text message Saturday morning of the candidate’s choice.