Who says getting a root canal is unpleasant? Under normal circumstances, maybe -- but not when your husband gets a call from Barack Obama asking him to be his presidential running mate.

And that's how the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee asked U.S. Senator Joe Biden to be his running mate for the 2008 presidential election, says People.

Biden, a former rival of Obama, got the call while lending moral support to his wife Jill, who was in the dentist's chair.

The VP choice, 65, says he looks forward to working with Obama, 47 -- even telling the mag he hopes to shoot hoops with him. First lady hopeful Michelle Obama says her husband wanted to select a mate who could challenge him.

"That's why he married me," Mrs. Obama joked. "So, I'd tell Sen. Biden, don't pull any punches."

Mrs. Obama went on to call Biden a "good man," while Mrs. Biden is hopeful for what the duo can achieve.

"I have goose bumps, really, when I think about what these two can do for the country," Mrs. Biden said.