Ladies and gentleman, it's literally Biden

Sitting down and speaking calmly, as Joe Biden is in his introductory video message to Barack Obama's supporters, he is right on message.

But when the Democratic vice presidential nominee gets wound up, his speeches unfurl into three-ring circuses, and he's the ringmaster.

It's "ladies and gentleman" this and "ladies and gentleman" that as he make his key points.

Biden used the phrase 19 times in his 17-minute speech Saturday in Springfield, Ill., as the new ticket held their first joint rally.

His other verbal tic is that he likes to say "literally" -- a lot -- at least eight times in the Saturday address.

Biden asserted that the nation "literally can't afford four more years of this non-energy policy" and that Obama has the opportunity "literally to change the direction of the world."

And to really drive home a point, Biden likes to combine the two.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is no ordinary time." he concluded Saturday. "This is no ordinary election. And this may be our last chance to reclaim the America we love, to restore America’s soul. Ladies and gentlemen, America gave Jill and me our chance. It gave Barack and Michelle their chance to stand on this stage today. It’s literally incredible."

Some Democrats worry that Biden, who can be direct and funny, is also gaffe-prone. Saturday, he managed to call Obama "Barack America."