White House has kind words for Biden

DENVER — Sen. Joseph Biden received praise from an unlikely source Monday as the White House said the Delaware Democrat has “done tremendous work over a long period.” 

White House spokesman Tony Fratto was asked to respond to comments made by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who reportedly said that Biden, the newly named Democratic vice presidential candidate, is "a very fine statesman" and "a true, true patriot."

{mosads}"It's a great honor for anyone who has that opportunity to run in a national election like that, to aspire to represent the country; and so a very personal thing for him and his family," Fratto said. "Obviously, we're — we would be happy for him."

But Fratto added that while Biden has been supportive of Rice's State Department, he thinks "Secretary Rice has made clear who she intends to vote for, and that will be Sen. McCain and whomever he chooses to join him on the ticket."

The White House has made great efforts to stay out of the 2008 presidential contest, with press aides generally declining to answer questions about it.

Fratto's response to questions about Rice's comments comes on the first day of the Democratic convention in Denver.

President Bush is scheduled to address the Republican convention on Monday of next week in Minneapolis-St. Paul.