Biden Attends Costco Opening

Motorcade arrived at dc’s first Costco at 9:24 amToday is the store’s grand openingFrom a WH official:The Vice President will be greeted at Costco by CEO Craig Jelinek andCo-founder Jim Sinegal, who were both at Costco’s grand openingceremony this morning.Uneventful ride w commuters stopping for the motorcade passing downConnecticut Ave, along Rhode Island

VP Biden engaged in an extended Costco shopping spree, to the delightof shoppers and employees at the store, which just opened its doorsto the public today.He flashed his Costco card as he walked through the doors to loud cheers.Employee Ivey Stewart handled a cart for Biden, who stopped frequentlyfor hugs and photosAsked about whether he was optimistic about fiscal cliff negotiations,he said “I am.”More to come from trip, still ongoing

Motorcade rolled from Costco at 10:12 am, w VP stopping to talk toreporters after wheeling a cart filled w among other things,childrens’ books, fire logs, a 32 inch Panasonic tv and a big applepie to the registers.He called on congress to extend bush era middle class tax cuts, sayingthat “consumer confidence is growing, the last thing we need to do isdash that.”He said that he’d talked to people around the store a sthat “all the people u meet and see… Folks don’t need to see theirtaxes go up”He said “it’s important congress acts now, right now.”Unknown if he bought a watch, though he spent considerable time at thecounter looking at them, including a $1,200 one, and put in a call tohis daughter, Ashley, saying he needed to “get some guidance”Before leaving, he placed a call on Ivey Stewart’s phone. Couldn’thear what he said, but she broke into tears and got a vicepresidential hand on the shoulder and a hugBiden also availed himself of several Costco food samples, and lookedlike he enjoyed them.The store was clogged w shoppers who whipped out cells and iPhones tosnap the VPThere were lots if Delaware natives in the store who got giant Bidenhugs and handshakesHe did a loop of nearly the entire store, including bakery and frozen foodsBut Biden turned down the employees who were trying to lure him to thetire department.”Hey man I don’t need tires,” he said “I don’t drive anymore.”