Joe Biden Denied Admittance to Theater: Influence Already in Decline?

By John W. Lillpop

Vice-president elect Joe Biden probably figured that his new job with the government entitled him to all of life's perks and pleasures.

Little things, like going to see a smash hit movie right after it was released without having advance tickets. No problem for a highly visible, well known celebrity like the Vice-president of the United States, right?

Not so fast: As Joe Biden discovered, when it comes a to top-notch film like "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," even the Vice-president had better plan ahead.

From Delawareonline (1), this report, in part:

"He's a heartbeat away from the presidency, but that apparently didn't help get a movie ticket Saturday night.

"Employees at the Regal Brandywine Cinemas say the vice president-elect and his wife, Jill, tried to attend the 7:45 showing of "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" at the theater on Concord Pike but left after they were told the movie was sold out.

"There's been no confirmation from the Biden camp, but the theater employees say they are sure it was him.

"Inshirah Muhamut, an associate manager, said she closed her box-office line when she saw what appeared to be a Secret Service agent coming her way.
The man asked her about tickets for the movie, which stars Brad Pitt, then left.

"A few minutes later, she said, the Bidens came into the lobby.

"Jill Biden walked up to speak with Muhamut while Joe stood nearby.

"She was asking me about other shows, but they really wanted to see 'Benjamin Button,' " Muhamut said. "He was maybe five feet away, looking at her. He was standing with his other Secret Service men."

"Remarkably, none of the other moviegoers appeared to notice. Employees said nobody mobbed Biden or called his name or asked for an autograph.
"It didn't seem many people recognized him," said employee Becky Gingrich, 21. "Honestly, I think people were just too wrapped up in themselves to notice."

There IS another explanation. Namely, movie fans did, in fact, recognize the bumbling Biden and deliberately chose to ignore him.

Now that makes sense, and is a clear indication that any influence Biden gained on November 4 is all but gone. Hat tip to moviegoers for outstanding use of discretion!


Reference (1):

http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20090105/NEWS02/901050345/1006/NEWS