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:

---

flown-the-coop said:

---

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

---

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.

flown-the-coop said:

---

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

---

Thanks Tips.

Aggie Dad Sip said:

---

flown-the-coop said:

---

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

---

Thanks Tips.

---

I mean you could do worse than listening to me.

It's an easy, albeit lazy yet effective talking point.

I am not denying gas prices are up. But they are not up in the way the rhetoric is trying to convince people they are.

Have you started carpooling to save money on gas? Bought an EV? Hybrid even? Cancelled family trips? Taking your kid out of sports?

Cause that's what people actually do when gas prices hit untenable levels. Are people seeing that? Let's hear some stories…

flown-the-coop said:

---

Aggie Dad Sip said:

---

flown-the-coop said:

---

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

---

Thanks Tips.

---

I mean you could do worse than listening to me.

It's an easy, albeit lazy yet effective talking point.

I am not denying gas prices are up. But they are not up in the way the rhetoric is trying to convince people they are.

Have you started carpooling to save money on gas? Bought an EV? Hybrid even? Cancelled family trips? Taking your kid out of sports?

Cause that's what people actually do when gas prices hit untenable levels. Are people seeing that? Let's hear some stories…

---

Well I am a multi-millionaire so no. But I can guarantee you that it is affecting a lot of Americans and I feel for them. Personally I think we should have concern to what it does to most of our country but I guess that is just my opinion.

So you didn't change your behavior but are concerned about other people you don't know potentially changing their behavior?

Again, find some anecdotal about carpooling, youth sports imploding, fast food going out of business and $29 hotel rooms in Vegas because gas being high has wrecked the budget of the average American.

Or you can note those things are NOT happening and realize folks have been hoodwinked into an affordability crisis that simply doesn't exist.

docb said:

---

flown-the-coop said:

---

So you didn't change your behavior but are concerned about other people you don't know potentially changing their behavior?

Again, find some anecdotal about carpooling, youth sports imploding, fast food going out of business and $29 hotel rooms in Vegas because gas being high has wrecked the budget of the average American.

Or you can note those things are NOT happening and realize folks have been hoodwinked into an affordability crisis that simply doesn't exist.

---

Another post of pure stupidity.

---

Seriously.

There are free hotel rooms in Vegas and crazy ass offers because Vegas is DEAD.

docb said:

---

flown-the-coop said:

---

So you didn't change your behavior but are concerned about other people you don't know potentially changing their behavior?

Again, find some anecdotal about carpooling, youth sports imploding, fast food going out of business and $29 hotel rooms in Vegas because gas being high has wrecked the budget of the average American.

Or you can note those things are NOT happening and realize folks have been hoodwinked into an affordability crisis that simply doesn't exist.

---

Another post of pure stupidity.

---

Another ad hom rather than discussion.

You could have just said "I have nothing to refute what you said and concede you make great points" and then move along.

Charpie said:

---

docb said:

---

flown-the-coop said:

---

So you didn't change your behavior but are concerned about other people you don't know potentially changing their behavior?

Again, find some anecdotal about carpooling, youth sports imploding, fast food going out of business and $29 hotel rooms in Vegas because gas being high has wrecked the budget of the average American.

Or you can note those things are NOT happening and realize folks have been hoodwinked into an affordability crisis that simply doesn't exist.

---

Another post of pure stupidity.

---

Seriously.

There are free hotel rooms in Vegas and crazy ass offers because Vegas is DEAD.

---

A drop in 2025 (predates the gas prices) and flat to slightly up on 2026.

Maybe not follow you for trends on Vegas tourism?

Charpie said:

---

docb said:

---

flown-the-coop said:

---

So you didn't change your behavior but are concerned about other people you don't know potentially changing their behavior?

Again, find some anecdotal about carpooling, youth sports imploding, fast food going out of business and $29 hotel rooms in Vegas because gas being high has wrecked the budget of the average American.

Or you can note those things are NOT happening and realize folks have been hoodwinked into an affordability crisis that simply doesn't exist.

---

Another post of pure stupidity.

---

Seriously.

There are free hotel rooms in Vegas and crazy ass offers because Vegas is DEAD.

---

IMO Vegas is dying because the generations that were dumb enough to spend away their money there is dying off.

flown-the-coop said:

---

So you didn't change your behavior but are concerned about other people you don't know potentially changing their behavior?

Again, find some anecdotal about carpooling, youth sports imploding, fast food going out of business and $29 hotel rooms in Vegas because gas being high has wrecked the budget of the average American.

Or you can note those things are NOT happening and realize folks have been hoodwinked into an affordability crisis that simply doesn't exist.

---

Do you really think people who are living paycheck to paycheck aren't suffering even more from higher gas prices?

Heck, even the wife and I have cut back on our date nights to offset the rise in cost of not just fuel, but literally everything else that has gone up due to the increased fuel prices.

I've also increased prices on the services I provide my customers due to increase in fuel, fertilizer and chemical costs and have had more than a handful that had to either suspend or cancel services altogether.

TSUAggie said:

---

flown-the-coop said:

---

So you didn't change your behavior but are concerned about other people you don't know potentially changing their behavior?

Again, find some anecdotal about carpooling, youth sports imploding, fast food going out of business and $29 hotel rooms in Vegas because gas being high has wrecked the budget of the average American.

Or you can note those things are NOT happening and realize folks have been hoodwinked into an affordability crisis that simply doesn't exist.

---

Do you really think people who are living paycheck to paycheck aren't suffering even more from higher gas prices?

Heck, even the wife and I have cut back on our date nights to offset the rise in cost of not just fuel, but literally everything else that has gone up due to the increased fuel prices.

I've also increased prices on the services I provide my customers due to increase in fuel, fertilizer and chemical costs and have had more than a handful that had to either suspend or cancel services altogether.

---

Define "suffering". That term itself is an affordability dog whistle that means absolutely nothing.

You cut back on "date nights"? And that is somehow suffering? Seems more like you made a normal day to day decision on how to prioritize your spending.

The other sounds like you making business decisions according to a changing supplier and customer environment. I also suspect your business falls into discretionary spending for those customers so you are in a business ultra-sensitive to rising prices. Sorry, but that is not suffering, thats called life running a business. If you cannot adapt, maybe its not for you.

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

---

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.

---

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?

Less Evil Hank Scorpio said:

---

flown-the-coop said:

---

Less Evil Hank Scorpio said:

---

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.

---

The OP was nails.

flown-the-coop said:

---

BigRobSA said:

---

flown-the-coop said:

---

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

---

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.

---

Like eggs?

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:

---

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:

---

twelve12twelve said:

---

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:

---

techno-ag said:

---

twelve12twelve said:

---

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

---

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:

---

techno-ag said:

---

twelve12twelve said:

---

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:

---

twelve12twelve said:

---

techno-ag said:

---

twelve12twelve said:

---

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

---

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.

---

You are in my thoughts and prayers. Can I send you some coupons to chick-fila-a to offset this burden on your family?

2040huck said:

---

flown-the-coop said:

---

BigRobSA said:

---

flown-the-coop said:

---

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

---

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.

---

Like eggs?

---

Derail. AOCs fertility has nothing to do with this thread.

flown-the-coop said:

---

2040huck said:

---

flown-the-coop said:

---

BigRobSA said:

---

flown-the-coop said:

---

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

---

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.

---

Like eggs?

---

Derail. AOCs fertility has nothing to do with this thread.

---

lol. I knew you wouldn't want to engage in the Republicans outrage over the cost of eggs during the last election. You paid an extra couple of bucks for a dozen eggs and went nuts. Now, an extra 5 bucks at the gas pump is nothing. Sad

2040huck said:

---

lol. I knew you wouldn't want to engage in the Republicans outrage over the cost of eggs during the last election. You paid an extra couple of bucks for a dozen eggs and went nuts. Now, an extra 5 bucks at the gas pump is nothing. Sad

---

Not sure I ever complained about eggs. Same as I am not complaining about gas. Perhaps you have me confused with someone else?

And it was Biden's double digit inflation not just eggs that people voted for. This is a few people crying about their "suffering" for gas... even though they are not personally suffering, they are suffering for the poor people who are BENEATH them.

Its bizarre to me as well.

flown-the-coop said:

---

TSUAggie said:

---

flown-the-coop said:

---

So you didn't change your behavior but are concerned about other people you don't know potentially changing their behavior?

Again, find some anecdotal about carpooling, youth sports imploding, fast food going out of business and $29 hotel rooms in Vegas because gas being high has wrecked the budget of the average American.

Or you can note those things are NOT happening and realize folks have been hoodwinked into an affordability crisis that simply doesn't exist.

---

Do you really think people who are living paycheck to paycheck aren't suffering even more from higher gas prices?

Heck, even the wife and I have cut back on our date nights to offset the rise in cost of not just fuel, but literally everything else that has gone up due to the increased fuel prices.

I've also increased prices on the services I provide my customers due to increase in fuel, fertilizer and chemical costs and have had more than a handful that had to either suspend or cancel services altogether.

---

Define "suffering". That term itself is an affordability dog whistle that means absolutely nothing.

You cut back on "date nights"? And that is somehow suffering? Seems more like you made a normal day to day decision on how to prioritize your spending.

The other sounds like you making business decisions according to a changing supplier and customer environment. I also suspect your business falls into discretionary spending for those customers so you are in a business ultra-sensitive to rising prices. Sorry, but that is not suffering, thats called life running a business. If you cannot adapt, maybe its not for you.

---

Where did I say I was suffering? The point is people are unnecessarily having to pay more at the pump. You may be begging your daddy Trump for more, but the average American sees how he's screwed up this not a war that we've won 27 times and how we're all paying for it while he buries his head further up his ass.

techno-ag said:

---

twelve12twelve said:

---

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?