Mark Ellis, chairman of the Maine Republican Party, has issued a statement attacking Barack Obama’s Vice Presidential pick.

He pointed out hypocrisy in Obama, who touts change in government, picking a “longtime Washington insider.”

His full statement:

"Barack Obama's politics of 'change' era is over now that he's chosen longtime Washington insider Joe Biden as his running mate. With softening poll numbers and questions swirling about whether Obama has enough experience, his choice of a Beltway veteran reflects concern even within Obama's own campaign about whether he's ready to be president.

"Bottom line, Joe Biden does nothing to change the fact that Barack Obama is the most liberal Senator. Obama and Biden have voted for huge tax increases that would hit our wallets hard. And Obama and Biden both oppose offshore drilling and expanded nuclear power.

"For Mainers who are concerned about the economy and affording higher energy prices, Obama-Biden is not the ticket to economic security and prosperity."