SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Republicans said the addition of U.S. Sen. Joe Biden to the Democratic ticket is an attempt by Barack Obama to shield himself from accusations he lacks experience.

In the official Illinois Republican response to Obama's choice of Biden, U.S. Rep. John Shimkus of Collinsville said it was clear what the Delaware senator is supposed to bring to the Democratic ticket.

"What Senator Obama is attempting to do is burnish his international relations credentials, because he has none," Shimkus said.

In his first speech as the Democratic vice president choice, Biden immediately took to needling U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the presumptive Republican nominee.

At the same time, McCain's camp released a television ad showing footage of Biden saying Obama didn't have enough experience to land in the White House.

"He's already said himself he doesn't' think Barack Obama is ready to be President of the United States," said Illinois Republican Party spokesman Lance Trover.

With Obama and Biden now marching from state to state toward the start of the Democratic National Convention, it won't be long until Republicans are doing the same thing.

As expected, Obama's introduction of Biden at an event in Springfield didn't draw many McCain supporters.

But state Rep. Dan Brady, a Bloomington Republican helping lead McCain's campaign in Illinois, said the Arizona senator is likely to go out on a similar multi-state tour before the party's convention in Minneapolis next month.

McCain's running mate is expected to be announced this week.

McCain's campaign stops between now and November won't likely include Illinois, but instead will focus on states where polls show a close race.

"We know we have a big uphill climb in Illinois," Brady said.

Brady said McCain has scheduled an event in St. Louis on Aug. 31, as well as a fundraiser in the Chicago area Sept. 8.

mike.riopell@lee.net / (217) 789-0865