Barack Obama’s Nevada campaign is arguing that U.S. Sen. Joe Biden’s addition the ticket will help the Illionois Senator win the state’s five electoral votes.

An Obama Silver State spokeswoman told PolitickerNV.com that, at a time when Nevada was feeling the economic pressure, Biden had an ability to connect to working-class voters.

“He has a working class background and will create jobs in places like Nevada, where unemployment is inching up,” explained Obama spokeswoman Kirsten Searer.

Biden, a six-term senator who ran a failed campaign for the Democratic nomination against Obama, has been frequently criticized for his verbosity. But Searer suggested his plain-spoken style had its advantages.

“The Silver State has a long history of responding to no-nonsense public servants like Joe Biden,” said Searer.