Biden: 'Proud to stand firm' with Obama

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois (CNN) – Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware, in his first appearance since being selected as the running mate of presumptive Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama, told supporters he was "proud to stand firm" with Obama.

The senior U.S. senator from Delaware invoked Abraham Lincoln in the 16th U.S. president's home state, at a rally in Springfield, Illinois.

"President Lincoln once instructed us to be sure to put your feet in the right place and then stand firm," said Biden, a native of Scranton, Pennsylvania, whose working-class roots and foreign policy experience Democrats hope will help Obama. "Today in Springfield I know my feet are in the right place and I'm proud to stand firm with the next president of the United States of America, Barack Obama."

It will be their only public appearance together before next week's Democratic convention in Denver.
Springfield was the place Obama announced his candidacy last year.