Biden supporters say let Joe be Joe

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Democrats say they're prepared to let Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware be himself during Thursday's vice presidential debate.

Some campaign observers say Biden has a penchant for gaffes and the Republican National Committee Web site even has a "Joe Biden Gaffe Clock." But Kiki McClean, an adviser to Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., said Biden's errors are "very human moments."

Biden is "very on-message on foreign policy and the economy," McClean said.

Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain of Arizona and the GOP jump on Biden's miscues -- such as calling brigades of soldiers "battalions."

Biden spokesman David Wade defended his boss, telling The Washington Post, "Unlike other campaigns that sequester running mates, we'll proudly continue to unleash Joe Biden to be Joe Biden."

Democratic standard-bearer Barack Obama, referring to Biden, recently told NBC, "I am very proud of the choice that I made."

Some Democrats -- including Biden -- suggested Clinton would have been a better VP choice.

A presidential race as tight as this one means mistakes will be exploited, said Dan Bartlett, a McCain supporter and former adviser to President George Bush.

"(Biden) has this unique capability for someone who is so smart on the issues making these mistakes," Bartlett said.