RNC Research

SHOT: Biden Made A Surprise Visit To Washington D.C.’s New Costco This Morning. “Vice President Joe Biden made an unannounced visit to Washington D.C.’s first Costco Thursday on the day of its grand opening. Via the pool report: ‘He flashed his Costco card as he walked through the doors to loud cheers. Employee Ivey Stewart handled a cart for Biden, who stopped frequently for hugs and photos. Asked about whether he was optimistic about fiscal cliff negotiations, he said ‘I am.’” (Byron Tau and Donovan Slack, “Biden Visits Costco,” Politico’s 44, 11/29/12)

CHASER: In Anticipation Of Obama’s Scheduled Tax Increases In January, Costco Just Yesterday Announced A Special Dividend Deal Before The End Of The Year – And Its Shareholders Approved, “Sending Its Stock Up About 6%.” “Costco, the giant wholesale-club operator, announced Wednesday that it will pay a special dividend of $7 a share before the end of the year. That’s about $3 billion the company will return to shareholders that the feds will only tax at 15% rather than the 39.6% rate scheduled to kick in when the Bush-era tax rates expire next year. For households earning more than $250,000 in 2013, you can add another 3.8 percentage points in tax thanks to the ObamaCare surcharge. Costco’s shareholders approved, sending its stock up about 6%.” (Editorial, “The Great 2012 Cashout,” The Wall Street Journal, 11/28/12)