Senator Joseph Biden comes from a working-class Irish neighbourhood in Scranton, Pennsylvania and has always prided himself on his links with Ulster.

He's being seen as providing the neccessary political experience and ability to capture the Irish-American vote for the Obama camp.

Mr Biden's mother's maiden name was Finnegan, whose family left the country in the early 1900s for a better life in the US.

A senator for more than 30 years, Mr Biden is seen as an expert on foreign affairs and an acknowledged authority on Northern Ireland.

He is currently chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee and is seen as a rock-solid, big-hitter in Washington.

The 65-year-old is said to quote Irish poet WB Yeats in times of strife.

The US senator also has a compelling personal history.

His first wife died in a car accident in 1972 as she was driving their three children shortly after his election as US senator.

Their 13-month-old infant baby was also killed but their two sons survived their injuries.

Mr Biden may not get an unequivocal reception from politicians of any hue here as he may be seen as pro-united Ireland by unionists given some of his past comments.