The vice president took a little shopping trip to the new D.C. outpost of the national chain.

Susan Walsh/Associated Press

Stop me if you've heard this one before. It may be tough to tell.

The vice president visited Costco in Washington, D.C., today for the store's grand opening and to look at some (non-fiscal) pies. Here's a truncated list, via the press pool, of what he purchased:

childrens' books

Duraflame fire logs (Anyone know how many fireplaces are at the Naval Observatory? And does Biden build his own fires?)

a 32" Panasonic TV

a large apple pie

And an even shorter list of what he didn't buy:

Tires. (His excuse: "Hey man, I don't need tires. I don't drive anymore.")

Biden apparently also lingered over some watches, including a $1,200 number, and called his daughter Ashley for "guidance," though it was unclear whether he actually bought one. The pool noted, somewhat archly, that the Bidens are former Costco members whose membership was reactivated Wednesday. (Convenient timing!)

The vice president was also asked about fiscal-cliff negotiations; queried on whether he was optimistic, he said, "I am." While that note seems at odds with continued gridlock that's being reported elsewhere, perhaps the savings on offer imbued Biden with contagious hope.