Biden also drew it down through sales and not swaps.

Trumps draw down is swaps, as traditionally done. This is reflected in the charts showing reserves to date but no one wants to show the replenishment from those swaps plus the 18% to 28% premium.

Concerning over our SPR is not much different than an update from The Hormuz Letter.

All this talk of crude pricing, SPR volume, etc means exactly zilch to the average voter. It's all future "math", whereas pump prices (the subject of the OP) are visual and immediate.

Regardless of sycophancy, gas prices will be a major problem for "republicans" if they're not under control....and soon.

Not "Well, if you carry the threeve, and divide by Texa$, it's not all bad.".

The impact on gas prices this election is being vastly overplayed. Folks need to quit falling for it.

BigRobSA said:

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flown-the-coop said:

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The impact on gas prices this election is being vastly overplayed. Folks need to quit falling for it.

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Um, "falling for it"?

There's no "falling for" what the pump tells you when it stops after a fill-up and a quick calculation of how much your account has in it now.

Again, quit thinking like a political sycophant. The average person out there gives zero ****s about politics and only about what their hard work gets them.

Is it as bad as some are saying? No.

Is it good? Also no.

---

If the average person gives zero ****s about politics, then why are they voting based on a talking point fed by the left?

You way, way, way over simplify things to a single issue that is sticking in your side.

Gas prices driving the midterm decisions is based on what… polling? Yea, see LA polling story from this morning.

I remember when it was prescription drug pricing is all Americans cared about. Then it was healthcare premiums.

Your personal financial struggles regarding petrol aside, gas is being presented as a wedge issue because it's a simple talking point people understand graphically and because they are reminded when they fill up. I get that, you do too.

Now whether someone is going to give up a lifetime of voting one way because gas prices are a bit higher, though not historically high in the least, well that sounds like buffalo chips to me.

You do you Rob.

Sq 17 said:

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At current draw rates 45 days is a number that is being thrown about

China is also rumored to be buying buying less because they filled there reserves with discounted sanctioned oil

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I watched a YT documentary on this.

• China had 3.5x SPR compared to US: https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=67504
• Total includes state owned O&G entities, though.
• They hold such a high strategic reserve because of a threat of a US blockade of the Straight of Malacca in the event of Pacific popping off. By product they can also sustain the Hormuz closure.
• 60% of their electrical production is coal (https://www.iea.org/countries/china ). They have high EV rates (58% of their new car sales were EV in '26 Q2; 30% of cars are EV - https://www.iea.org/reports/global-ev-outlook-2025/executive-summary ). They feel it less at the pump because coal drives their cars, lol.

flown-the-coop said:

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Less Evil Hank Scorpio said:

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For those still arguing the price of oil and gasoline is a non factor and Trump has not broken a promise - what would have to happen for you to change your mind? $100 WTI for a month? $150? I'd like to get a sense for how long the leash is among the most fervent supporters of this war/conflict.

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Why would it go that high?

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Notice I asked a simple question that no one has actually answered. Instead, it's met with a deflection and misdirection causing the conversation to shift elsewhere.

WTI has already been above $110 in 2026. Acting like you can't fathom what could cause it to go that high again is just silly.

I'm looking forward to some responses to my actual question: what would have to happen to the price of oil/fuel for it to matter to you? If you can't come up with an answer, what does that tell you?

Less Evil Hank Scorpio said:

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flown-the-coop said:

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Less Evil Hank Scorpio said:

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For those still arguing the price of oil and gasoline is a non factor and Trump has not broken a promise - what would have to happen for you to change your mind? $100 WTI for a month? $150? I'd like to get a sense for how long the leash is among the most fervent supporters of this war/conflict.

---

Why would it go that high?

---

Notice I asked a simple question that no one has actually answered. Instead, it's met with a deflection and misdirection causing the conversation to shift elsewhere.

WTI has already been above $110 in 2026. Acting like you can't fathom what could cause it to go that high again is just silly.

I'm looking forward to some responses to my actual question: what would have to happen to the price of oil/fuel for it to matter to you? If you can't come up with an answer, what does that tell you?

---

I can fathom it going that high, but its not out of the ordinary to ask you why you would see it going that high. Another poster mentioned the SPR (and globally SPRs) running out. There is some merit there internationally but not much domestically.

Regarding how long someone would "tolerate" those higher prices is highly dependent on why those prices are higher and what the trade off is to lower those prices.

So if the equation is that it will costs 20 million American lives to lower WTI from $150/bbl to $65/bbl, then some may say its immediately worth it and others may say its never worth it.

If the equation is "vote for Talarico and he will impeach Trump and usher in $65/bbl day one" then that's a different calculus.

So your question is in no way a simple one and any attempt to demand a simple answer is nothing more than a gotchya fishing expedition.

$2.97 in Houston.

I feel like every three pages or so, a smug EV or Tesla user needs to post.



I also have a Diesel truck, tho. Ugh.

Equinox said:

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$2.97 in Houston.

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The OP was nails.

It's like some of you refuse to accept that American voters largely don't care who is in charge, they are voting for the other party when costs get out of control. As Keith Swim would say: "vote the bums out."

twelve12twelve said:

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It's like some of you refuse to accept that American voters largely don't care who is in charge, they are voting for the other party when costs get out of control. As Keith Swim would say: "vote the bums out."

---

That's kind of the point. A few more cents per gallon is not to going to spark the voter revolution Democrat-Communists are hoping for.

techno-ag said:

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twelve12twelve said:

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It's like some of you refuse to accept that American voters largely don't care who is in charge, they are voting for the other party when costs get out of control. As Keith Swim would say: "vote the bums out."

---

That's kind of the point. A few more cents per gallon is not to going to spark the voter revolution Democrat-Communists are hoping for.

---

"Few more cents per gallon"


You keep on gloating about the few stations that are below $3. Your boy is having a hell of time doing Vietnam 2.0 in the mid east

twelve12twelve said:

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techno-ag said:

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twelve12twelve said:

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It's like some of you refuse to accept that American voters largely don't care who is in charge, they are voting for the other party when costs get out of control. As Keith Swim would say: "vote the bums out."

---

That's kind of the point. A few more cents per gallon is not to going to spark the voter revolution Democrat-Communists are hoping for.

---

"Few more cents per gallon"


You keep on gloating about the few stations that are below $3. Your boy is having a hell of time doing Vietnam 2.0 in the mid east

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Yep. I paid 3.27 in the bubble of BCS today. But it's worth the additional $5.60 over the OP for my 20 gallon tank. Somehow I'll survive.

And I'm still not voting for the commies in November.

twelve12twelve said:

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techno-ag said:

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twelve12twelve said:

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It's like some of you refuse to accept that American voters largely don't care who is in charge, they are voting for the other party when costs get out of control. As Keith Swim would say: "vote the bums out."

---

That's kind of the point. A few more cents per gallon is not to going to spark the voter revolution Democrat-Communists are hoping for.

---

"Few more cents per gallon"


You keep on gloating about the few stations that are below $3. Your boy is having a hell of time doing Vietnam 2.0 in the mid east

---

Conflict that is a few months old and includes no boots on the ground nor is planned to include boots on the ground, is now Vietnam 2.0.

Somebody tell Ken Burns to grab his notepad and camera. A documentary needs to be in the works!

That's... funny as hell. Vietnam 2.0.

techno-ag said:

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twelve12twelve said:

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It's like some of you refuse to accept that American voters largely don't care who is in charge, they are voting for the other party when costs get out of control. As Keith Swim would say: "vote the bums out."

---

That's kind of the point. A few more cents per gallon is not to going to spark the voter revolution Democrat-Communists are hoping for.

---

Kind of like a few bombs did not spark the revolution in Iran?

flown-the-coop said:

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The impact on gas prices this election is being vastly overplayed. Folks need to quit falling for it.

---

You are half right gas prices being up are emblematic of other things that are also higher
Housing, insurance property taxes are all higher and are putting more pressure on household budgets
Gas is a political problem because every time people fill up they are reminded that costs are up over a wide range of things
Kind of like Eggs being a talking point nobody household budget was being impacted by $5 a dozen eggs but it was something everyone could relate to about how stuff was more expensive

Sq 17 said:

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flown-the-coop said:

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The impact on gas prices this election is being vastly overplayed. Folks need to quit falling for it.

---

You are half right gas prices being up are emblematic of other things that are also higher
Housing, insurance property taxes are all higher and are putting more pressure on household budgets
Gas is a political problem because every time people fill up they are reminded that costs are up over a wide range of things
Kind of like Eggs being a talking point nobody household budget was being impacted by $5 a dozen eggs but it was something everyone could relate to about how stuff was more expensive

---

Being gaining eggs is no different than being gaslit on gas prices. That's the point.

Hell, Trump was pelted and shelled on egg prices during the scrambled early days of his 2nd term. In short order, Brooke cracked the problem and beat the supply chain into submission masking a beautiful omelette from the mess Biden left.

Gas just jumped thirty cents overnight.

Pre pre labor day weekend driving increase or something else we're missing.

ETA: There's a story in The Times talking about how our Navy is helping her oil ships through the straight. I'd think that would help prices go down. Again, or I'm missing something.

flown-the-coop said:

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The impact on gas prices this election is being vastly overplayed. Folks need to quit falling for it.

---

Just curious, do you work in a manufacturing environment that requires shipments of goods (raw and finished)? My guess is probably not, or you would realize exactly how much of an impact fuel prices will impact the election. Everything is transported, and those transportation cost are rising. It's a fairly fundamental concept.

On another note, and I am not attacking you here, but genuinely curious. Why is it that you think every decision Trump makes, or has made is the correct one? You defend every single thing he does, or at least it seems that way.

3rd Coast said:

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flown-the-coop said:

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The impact on gas prices this election is being vastly overplayed. Folks need to quit falling for it.

---

Just curious, do you work in a manufacturing environment that requires shipments of goods (raw and finished)? My guess is probably not, or you would realize exactly how much of an impact fuel prices will impact the election. Everything is transported, and those transportation cost are rising. It's a fairly fundamental concept.

On another note, and I am not attacking you here, but genuinely curious. Why is it that you think every decision Trump makes, or has made is the correct one? You defend every single thing he does, or at least it seems that way.

---

I understand fuel prices. I have two construction business that require the transport of all sorts of materials and for my field guys to travel all around town.

Fuel surcharges from the ready-mix guys went up a bit but not like with Biden, which remained sticky long after the underlying diesel costs went down.

Lumber and other suppliers have not been as aggressive.

My field guys are quick to ***** when gas becomes a pain. Thus far, they may choose to drive the sedan or small truck vs the big Friday F350 diesel wagon.

In my prior life I worked in consumer products manufacturing and well understand the costs of oil and its impact throughout a supply chain.

You last paragraph is another bad assumption. You can find plenty of posts where I think Trump has not made the correct decision. Attacking Iran is not going to be one of them, gas prices be damned. HTH.

Make better assumptions and I am happy to continue the discussion. Continue to assume I am naive, poorly informed, or just overall don't know much about nothing and its going to be a quick discussion.

flown-the-coop said:

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3rd Coast said:

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flown-the-coop said:

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The impact on gas prices this election is being vastly overplayed. Folks need to quit falling for it.

---

Just curious, do you work in a manufacturing environment that requires shipments of goods (raw and finished)? My guess is probably not, or you would realize exactly how much of an impact fuel prices will impact the election. Everything is transported, and those transportation cost are rising. It's a fairly fundamental concept.

On another note, and I am not attacking you here, but genuinely curious. Why is it that you think every decision Trump makes, or has made is the correct one? You defend every single thing he does, or at least it seems that way.

---

I understand fuel prices. I have two construction business that require the transport of all sorts of materials and for my field guys to travel all around town.

Fuel surcharges from the ready-mix guys went up a bit but not like with Biden, which remained sticky long after the underlying diesel costs went down.

Lumber and other suppliers have not been as aggressive.

My field guys are quick to ***** when gas becomes a pain. Thus far, they may choose to drive the sedan or small truck vs the big Friday F350 diesel wagon.

In my prior life I worked in consumer products manufacturing and well understand the costs of oil and its impact throughout a supply chain.

You last paragraph is another bad assumption. You can find plenty of posts where I think Trump has not made the correct decision. Attacking Iran is not going to be one of them, gas prices be damned. HTH.

Make better assumptions and I am happy to continue the discussion. Continue to assume I am naive, poorly informed, or just overall don't know much about nothing and its going to be a quick discussion.

---

Now who is making assumptions? I respectfully asked a question and clearly stated I wasn't attacking you. For you to be as involved in transportation as you say, it is hard to believe you can state that increases in fuel cost (due to a war no one wants to be in, no end in sight, and no definitive resolution) will not have an impact on the election is in fact nave.

No need to be defensive, the facts are what they are. Increased transportation cost leads to an increase in everything. Period.

3rd Coast said:

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Now who is making assumptions? I respectfully asked a question and clearly stated I wasn't attacking you. For you to be as involved in transportation as you say, it is hard to believe you can state that increases in fuel cost (due to a war no one wants to be in, no end in sight, and no definitive resolution) will not have an impact on the election is in fact nave.

No need to be defensive, the facts are what they are. Increased transportation cost leads to an increase in everything. Period.

---

No ***** But its not and should not move the needle on the election.

You made bad assumptions about my experience and knowledge. That's purely on you buddy. All I did was clear things up for you. If you take that as defensive, then maybe think about the approach of making bad assumptions.

Your bias is belied by the "due to a war no one wants to be in, no end in sight, and no definitive resolution" comment.

Plenty of Americans support the actions and Iran and understand the trade-offs.

And I will point out again no one can provide evidence of all this suffering out there. In fact, most people providing evidence and anecdotes support the notion that its simply not that big of an impact on their lives.

I know one person had to cancel date night. I know that sort of suffering is not sustainable, but hopefully folks can manage.

flown-the-coop said:

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twelve12twelve said:

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techno-ag said:

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twelve12twelve said:

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It's like some of you refuse to accept that American voters largely don't care who is in charge, they are voting for the other party when costs get out of control. As Keith Swim would say: "vote the bums out."

---

That's kind of the point. A few more cents per gallon is not to going to spark the voter revolution Democrat-Communists are hoping for.

---

"Few more cents per gallon"


You keep on gloating about the few stations that are below $3. Your boy is having a hell of time doing Vietnam 2.0 in the mid east

---

Conflict that is a few months old and includes no boots on the ground nor is planned to include boots on the ground, is now Vietnam 2.0.

Somebody tell Ken Burns to grab his notepad and camera. A documentary needs to be in the works!

That's... funny as hell. Vietnam 2.0.

---

I hate to be the one to break this to you. Roughly seven months of bombardment preceded the introduction of Marines. The Gulf of Tonkin was August of 1964. The landing at Da Nang was March of '65.

I fear that you have just inadvertently invoked a terrible curse.

Well Da Nang, I had no intention of invoking curses.

My distaste for Trump is largely driven by the extent to which he reminds me of LBJ. They are alike in their hubris, venality, and willful ignorance.