Biden buys hoagies, backs filibuster rule change

David Jackson | USA TODAY

Vice President Biden promoted local economic development Thursday, and also weighed in on the Senate dispute over filibuster.

During a visit to Capriotti's — a Delaware-based Italian hoagie chain and one of Biden's favorites — someone asked Biden if he supports a new Democratic plan to make it harder for Republicans to filibuster President Obama's nominees.

"Yes, I do," Biden said.

Biden, a Delaware native, visited the new Capriotti's outpost in downtown Washington, D.C., for a takeout order to be consumed during lunch with Obama at the White House.

The vice president paid $56.25 cash for his order.

The office of current Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., e-mailed a comment from then-senator Biden in 2005: "This nuclear option is ultimately an example of the arrogance of power. It is a fundamental power grab by the majority party."

Of course, some Republicans favored filibuster rule changes when they were in the majority.

During his sandwich run, Biden did not elaborate on his support for a new Senate filibuster plan.

When a reporter asked him what it meant, the vice president said: "It means they will learn to eat at Capriotti's."

Biden did brag about his hometown sandwich shop.

"This is gonna settle once and for all, the best sandwich in America is out of Wilmington, Del.," Biden said. "I'm bringing one back for the president. No more of this stuff about Chicago and Philly and New York. This settles it."

He added: "You guys want to get this settled. And end it. I'm ready man. The president is waiting. I'm having lunch with him today."

The veep's order, according to the press pool: Two medium Italians, one with hot peppers, the other with hot peppers on the side, and neither with onions. He also ordered another large Italian and a large Bobbie with hot peppers on the side. Biden emphasized the importance of peppers.

"The only way to eat these things is with hot peppers," Biden said, "but not everybody understands that. You know what I mean?"

Biden seemed especially keen to win the sandwich battle with Wilmington's large neighbor to the north, Philadelphia.

"The only place where Philadelphia can compete with us is steak sandwiches," Biden said. "Just compete. Compete. Not win."