He isn't just vital to the White House -- he's been the most effective vice president in American history.

Reuters

In a recent posting on the Atlantic website, Ben Heineman writes, "Joe Biden should go. He should not be on the Democratic ticket in the fall." Here in the battleground state of Ohio, we couldn't disagree more.

First, no vice president in our history has been more effective. Barack Obama chose Joe Biden because he wanted a running mate who was ready to be president. Clearly, that decision has paid off: Biden's experience and judgment have made him Obama's most valuable partner in restoring America's place in the world and leading America back from the toughest economic crisis in four generations. The vice president played a critical role in the passage and implementation of the president's economic recovery plan. He negotiated the first extension of the payroll tax cut, keeping taxes down on millions of middle-class Americans. He oversaw the wind-down of the war in Iraq and was a powerful voice in refocusing our strategy in Afghanistan. On one tough assignment after another, Joe Biden got the job done.

Second, Vice President Biden is a big political plus for the ticket, and will make a real difference in the swing states this fall. There's a reason the administration keeps sending Joe Biden to tossup states like Ohio, Florida, Iowa, and New Hampshire. He's one of the best campaigners in the business. I've seen what happens when the vice president comes here. I've seen the connection he makes with hard-working Ohioans. I've seen the look in people's eyes that says, "Here's a guy who understands me." An Obama-Biden ticket will be formidable in swing states.