Vice 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. &#40;AP Photo&#47;Susan Walsh&#41; <span class=meta>(AP Photo&#47; Susan Walsh)</span>