ABC: Biden gets Secret Service protection

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- The U.S. Secret Service has deployed a detail of agents to provide protection for Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., ABC News reported Friday.

Citing sources, ABC said the development suggests Biden has been notified by presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama that he is Obama's choice as a running mate in the November election.

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 -- have been told they had not been selected for the No. 2 sot on the ticket.

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.