Biden Tells Nashua Voters Obama Is "Real Deal"

The Delaware Senator came to New Hampshire with two objectives Wednesday: one, make the case that a John McCain administration would be identical to a George Bush administration, and to tell New Hampshire voters that Barack Obama's just like us.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this guy is the real deal. And I'm so tired of the Republicans trying to make him out as this exotic, brilliant guy who doesn't connect. Let me tell you something: he would have been - if he'd been raised in your neighborhood, he would've been your friend. He would've been the guy you hung out with. He would've been the person who covered your back."

Biden took questions from the crowd on health care, the housing crisis and the Second Amendment.

Barack Obama is scheduled to campaign in the state Friday and Saturday.

McCain is expected here on Sunday.

For NHPR News, I'm Dan Gorenstein.