Martin Yeung did not find out by cell phone text message, but the South Dakota Obama delegate to the Democratic National Convention was thrilled by Sen. Joe Biden's selection as Barack Obama's running mate, nonetheless.

"I'm absolutely thrilled. I think they'll make a great team," Yeung said of Biden's selection for the No. 2 spot on the Democratic ticket. "He brings a wealth of foreign-policy experience that rivals John McCain's."

Yeung, the 34-year-old manager of the Great Wall and Imperial restaurants in Rapid City, left today for the convention that officially opens Monday in Denver. The Obama campaign sent out a text message confirming its vice presidential choice in the wee hours of Saturday morning that read, "Barack has chosen Sen. Joe Biden to be our v.p. nominee. Watch the first Obama-Biden rally live at 3 p.m. ET on www.BarackObama.com. Spread the word."

Critics responded that choosing Biden, a senator who has been in Congress longer than Yeung has been alive, negates Obama's message that Washington needs to be changed.

But Democrat Marcia Mitchell of Hill City said Biden has proven over the years that he is not the typical Washington "insider" because he has retained an independence and creativity that is unusual in D.C.

"My feeling is that Joe Biden represents the best kind of experience. He has a solid background in Senate committee leadership, but at the same time, he's not limited by an experience that precludes constructive change. He's been innovative and strong on issues," Mitchell said.

By providing what McCain says Obama lacks - experience - Biden "fills out the bill beautifully," Mitchell said.

Yeung disagrees that Obama is inexperienced or that he chose Biden to shore up that perceived weakness.

"In interviews, whenever Obama was asked about his v.p. choice, he said he really wanted a running mate who would make him think, who would challenge his thoughts on things," Yeung said.

Helen Crosswait, a longtime Democrat volunteer, supported Hillary Clinton in the 2008 Democratic primary contest. She said having Biden on the ticket makes Obama more attractive to her as a candidate.

"I was happy with Obama, but I'm much more at ease now that I know who he's picked. I think it makes the ticket much more well-rounded."

Crosswait plans to watch television coverage of the Denver convention religiously from her home in Spearfish. "Oh yeah, I'm going to be following it very closely."

She hasn't been to a nominating convention since 1972 in Miami, the year she ran the Brookings County Democratic headquarters office with another staffer named Tom Daschle. That was the year Democrats nominated Sen. George McGovern for president. It was also the year Joe Biden was elected to the U.S. Senate for the first time.

She's happy to see Biden take the stage in 2008.

"I'm extremely pleased, because I've always liked Joe Biden and had a lot of respect for him."

So does Sen. Tim Johnson, who praised Obama's choice of Biden on Saturday in a news release. "Our country will benefit from Sen. Biden's unparalleled service and familiarity with the issues, as we have during Sen. Biden's many years in the Senate."

For him, though, the Biden pick is more personal, Johnson said.

"A few years ago, Joe Biden had a similar brain injury to the one I had, and in the early days after my injury, he was a constant friend to Barb and me on the phone and in person. Joe always encouraged me in my recovery and constantly reminded me that while recovery takes time and is hard, I would be back fighting and serving again sooner rather than later. He was right, and I will be forever grateful for his support and personal friendship," Johnson said.

Johnson is a Democratic superdelegate who pledged to support Clinton. He decided not to attend the convention, since Obama's nomination is a "foregone conclusion."

Another of the state's superdelegates, Cheryl Chapman of Rapid City, will be there, along with her husband, Malcom Chapman, a regular delegate. Other western South Dakota delegates include Russell Blacksmith of Oglala and Frances Pumpkin Seed of Pine Ridge.

As an Asian American, Yeung said the African American Obama is a "man of the times."

"Given the divisions and problems of our country - economic, class, gender and racial - I think that he's really the one to bring the nation together and bring about solutions that we can form consensus around."