U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy, an early and vocal supporter of presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama's run for the presidency, praised his selection of U.S. Sen. Joe Biden Saturday, saying his longtime colleague is a strong voice for working class Americans.

[img_assist|nid=33|title=Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Hyannis Port)|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=174|height=180]In a statement from his home in Hyannis Port, Kennedy (D), whose niece, Caroline, was on Obama's vice presidential selection committee, said Obama is getting exactly what is he looking for in a running mate.

"Barack Obama said he wanted a strong independent leader and a strong advocate for average Americans," Kennedy said, "and he got one in Joe Biden."

In particular, Kennedy said Biden has been a fighter for the working class.

"[Biden] has a deep devotion to his family and his country and an impressive record not only in standing up for American security interests around the world, but for middle class values and safe neighborhoods here at home," Kennedy said.

Kennedy and Biden are two of the longest-serving U.S. senators in Congress, with Kennedy winning the Massachusetts seat in 1962 and Biden taking the Delaware seat 10 years later.

"An Obama/Biden administration," Kennedy concluded, "will bring the real change Americans want and the country needs."