US-POLITICS-BIDEN-COSTCO(01 of17)
Open Image ModalUS Vice President Joe Biden eats a food sample during a visit to a Costco store on a shopping trip in Washington, DC, on November 29, 2012. Biden made the visit to the first Costco store located in Washington, DC, during its grand opening. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Joe Biden(02 of17)
Open Image ModalVice President Joe Biden checks out after shopping at Costco in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012. Biden went shopping for presents and to highlight the importance of renewing middle-class tax cuts so families and businesses have more certainty at this critical time for our economy. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (credit:AP)
US-POLITICS-BIDEN-COSTCO(03 of17)
Open Image ModalUS Vice President Joe Biden visits a Costco store on a shopping trip in Washington, DC, on November 29, 2012. Biden made the visit to the first Costco store located in Washington, DC, during its grand opening. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
US-POLITICS-BIDEN-COSTCO(04 of17)
Open Image ModalUS Vice President Joe Biden pushes a full shopping cart during a visit to a Costco store in Washington, DC, on November 29, 2012, to purchase Christmas gifts. Biden made the visit to the first Costco store located in Washington, DC, during its grand opening. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
US-POLITICS-BIDEN-COSTCO(05 of17)
Open Image ModalUS Vice President Joe Biden selects books to give as gifts to charity during a visit to a Costco store on a shopping trip in Washington, DC, on November 29, 2012. Biden made the visit to the first Costco store located in Washington, DC, during its grand opening. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Joe Biden, Ivey Stewart(06 of17)
Open Image ModalVice President Joe Biden hugs Ivey Stewart, a Costco employee, after shopping at Costco in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012. Biden went shopping for presents and to highlight the importance of renewing middle-class tax cuts so families and businesses have more certainty at this critical time for our economy. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (credit:AP)
US-POLITICS-BIDEN-COSTCO(07 of17)
Open Image ModalUS Vice President Joe Biden tries on a watch during a visit to a Costco store on a shopping trip in Washington, DC, on November 29, 2012. Biden made the visit to the first Costco store located in Washington, DC, during its grand opening. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
US-POLITICS-BIDEN-COSTCO(08 of17)
Open Image ModalUS Vice President Joe Biden looks at watches and jewelry during a visit to a Costco store on a shopping trip in Washington, DC, on November 29, 2012. Biden made the visit to the first Costco store located in Washington, DC, during its grand opening. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
US-POLITICS-BIDEN-COSTCO(09 of17)
Open Image ModalUS Vice President Joe Biden selects books to give as gifts to charity during a visit to a Costco store on a shopping trip in Washington, DC, on November 29, 2012. Biden made the visit to the first Costco store located in Washington, DC, during its grand opening. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
US-POLITICS-BIDEN-COSTCO(10 of17)
Open Image ModalUS Vice President Joe Biden visits a Costco store on a shopping trip in Washington, DC, on November 29, 2012. Biden made the visit to the first Costco store located in Washington, DC, during its grand opening. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
US-POLITICS-BIDEN-COSTCO(11 of17)
Open Image ModalUS Vice President Joe Biden holds up his Costco card alongside Costco co-founder Jim Sinegal (R) during a visit to a Costco store on a shopping trip in Washington, DC, on November 29, 2012. Biden made the visit to the first Costco store located in Washington, DC, during its grand opening. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Joe Biden(12 of17)
Open Image ModalVice President Joe Biden reacts after being asked to sample food from the bakery section while shopping at a Costco in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012. Biden went shopping for presents and to highlight the importance of renewing middle-class tax cuts so families and businesses have more certainty at this critical time for our economy. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (credit:AP)
Joe Biden(13 of17)
Open Image ModalVice President Joe Biden talks with Costco employees in the bakery section of the store while shopping at Costco in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012. Biden went shopping for presents and to highlight the importance of renewing middle-class tax cuts so families and businesses have more certainty at this critical time for our economy. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (credit:AP)
Joe Biden(14 of17)
Open Image ModalVice President Joe Biden gestures as he talks to reporters as he pushes his cart after shopping at Costco in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012. Biden went shopping for presents and to highlight the importance of renewing middle-class tax cuts so families and businesses have more certainty at this critical time for our economy. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (credit:AP)
US-POLITICS-BIDEN-COSTCO(15 of17)
Open Image ModalUS Vice President Joe Biden talks on an employee's cellphone during a visit to a Costco store on a shopping trip in Washington, DC, on November 29, 2012. Biden made the visit to the first Costco store located in Washington, DC, during its grand opening. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Joe Biden, Jim Sinegal, Craig Jelinek(16 of17)
Open Image ModalVice President Joe Biden shakes hands with Costco CEO Craig Jelinek, right, as co-founder Jim Sinegal watches at center, after Biden arrived to shop at the new Costco store in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012. Biden went shopping for presents and to highlight the importance of renewing middle-class tax cuts so families and businesses have more certainty at this critical time for our economy. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (credit:AP)
Joe Biden, Ivey Stewart(17 of17)
Open Image ModalVice President Joe Biden smiles as he makes a call on the cell phone of Costco employee Ivey Stewart, left, after shopping at the a Costco store in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012. Biden went shopping for presents and to highlight the importance of renewing middle-class tax cuts so families and businesses have more certainty at this critical time for our economy. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (credit:AP)