Politics. On Point.

Vice President Biden made a trip to Arlington, VA's grand opening of Costco where he was put some mileage on his newly re-activated Costco card. Per a White House pool report : "The Bidens have been Costco members in the past. The Vice President and Dr. Biden’s Costco memberships were re-activated yesterday; they paid the $55 membership re-activation fee to receive their new cards.The Vice President received his own card which he is carrying today while shopping at Costco." Vice President Biden was greeted by Costco CEO Craig Jelinek and Co-founder Jim Sinegal. After perusing the store's various departments and indulging in the store's available sorted food samples, he was invited to stop by the tire department but declined the offer saying to the employees, "Hey man I don't need tires, I don't drive anymore." After delighting Costco shoppers with handshakes and photo ops the VP made his way to checkout where he was seen purch...

Report Details Consequences if Congress Fails to Extend Middle-Class Tax Cuts The White House released a report from the National Economic Council and the Council of Economic Advisers called The Middle-Class Tax Cuts’ Impact on Consumer Spending and Retailers . This report provides new analysis on the impact to retailers and consumer spending if Congress fails to act to avoid taxes going up on 98 percent of Americans at the end of the year. The President believes Democrats and Republicans should come together to renew middle-class tax cuts so families and businesses have more certainty at this critical time for our economy. If Congress acts, every American will get a tax break on their first $250,000 of income, and income taxes won’t go up for 98 percent of American families and 97 percent of small businesses. The President believes we must take a balanced approach to reduce our deficit, that’s why he has laid out a $4 trillion deficit reduction plan that asks the wealthy to pay ...

Vice President Joe Biden and Second Lady, Dr. Jill Biden celebrated Thanksgiving with the military servicemen at the Naval Observatory on Monday. A pool report, below, gives the deets. The mouth-watering smells of stuffing and turkey, a crackling fire, guests with bowed heads giving thanks for “second chances” -- Vice President Biden and Dr Jill Biden hosted their fourth Early Thanksgiving For Wounded Warriors on Monday, welcoming servicemen and –women and loved ones to the Naval Observatory. “Jill and I want to welcome you to the vice president’s home. This is your home,” the VP said in brief remarks as the 26 guests sat at two large tables in the residence’s dining room. He spoke from behind a lectern with the VP’s seal on it, Jill Biden at his side. Candles fluttered over their shoulders on the mantelpiece of the fireplace, in which a robust blaze was already crackling. A Navy harpist played before his remarks. The vice president said he and his wife were “honored an...

ABC News (and now the White House) is reporting that President Obama, in a surprise visit, has just landed in Afghanistan to visit with U.S. troops. First Pool Report - Excerpted. (11:33 am EST) President Obama arrived in Afghanistan at 8:35 pm. Air Force One was wheels down at Bagram Air Base. POTUS stepped off the plane at 8:48 pm. He was greeted by Gen. David Petreaus and Amb. Eikenberry. POTUS is expected to be on the ground for 3 hours. The schedule has changed and continues to. POTUS was initially expected to helo to Kabul to meet with Karzai. Cancelled. Then they were to do secure videoconference from Bagram. That is also cancelled. From Robert Gibbs: Due to weather and technical problems, the secure videoteleconference is now a phone call. The President, most noteably, wanted to visit with the troops during the holidays, citing, "It's a particularly tough time of year." Ben Rhodes, Deputy National Ssecurity Advisor for Strategic Communications, no...

The most wonderful time of the year is upon us, and The White House is checking its list.  On the list, a pre-holiday peep at holiday decorations for the media and many families of the military. "It’s Christmas!   It’s exciting!", the First Lady exclaimed. Decorations include 19 Christmas trees in every corner of the White House, a giant Bo (the family dog) made out of pipe cleaners, and a 350 pound gingerbread house. The White House is expecting more than 100,000 people to enjoy the White House decorations. The First Lady welcomed the White House Christmas tree on last Friday.  The 18 ½ foot Douglas-fir arrived from the Crystal Spring Tree Farm in Leighton, Pennsylvania. Having trouble viewing this video?  Click here . Related Christmas In Washington 2010 Simple Gifts