Democratic strategists believe Biden could help reframe the campaign narrative by focusing attention on McCain and his ties to the unpopular President Bush -- as he did with evident relish in his speech.
In 2000 and 2004, many Democrats were disappointed when their party's vice presidential candidates -- Joe Lieberman, then John Edwards -- were outmatched in their debates against Dick Cheney.
Both Lieberman and Edwards, who were eyeing their own futures as presidential candidates, appeared to fear coming across as overly aggressive.
Strategists expect Biden to be a more effective attack dog -- which is a requirement if Obama is to appear above the fray while voters are reminded why they feel the country has been on the wrong track under GOP leadership.
"If it's a referendum on Obama, then the question is much less about how bad Bush and McCain are and about how good, really, is Obama?" said Democratic pollster Mark Mellman. "And that's where the doubts that the Republicans have tried to create begin to seep in."
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peter.wallsten@latimes.com
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Times staff writers Janet Hook and Chuck Neubauer in Washington contributed to this report.
