During ABC’s World News Tonight on Tuesday, anchor David Muir and congressional correspondent Rachel Scott were President Biden’s personal cheer team as they praised him for releasing 50 million barrels of oil from the strategic reserves; after he had to be dragged kicking and screaming to do it. In the meantime, CBS Evening NewsAnd NBC Nightly News, they were warning that it was just a “drop in the bucket” and would be used up in less than three days.
Calling it a “Major move” by Biden, Muir led into the segment by touting how, “This afternoon, President Biden revealing the administration will now tap into the strategic petroleum reserves, the nation’s emergency supply, to help bring down gas prices.”
Scott parroted Muir’s adulation for Biden’s late move driven by plummeting poll numbers:
SCOTT: Americans are preparing for the most costly Thanksgiving ever. Biden is taking immediate action to ease some pain at the pumps today.
(…)
SCOTT: Drivers need relief as soon as possible. Over the last year, gas prices have risen to an average of $3.40 per gallon. This is $1.29 more than last year.
The only knock – more of love tap, really – against Biden came when she noted it would take time for prices to come down. When she pressed my Muir for clarification, it was clear that the message had been improved.
“Well, David, it will take 13 days for that oil to be released from the emergency reserves, But economists believe that markets already feel the effects of President Obama’s announcement. Americans will see prices drop in the next few days, according to economists.,” she said.
But CBS and senior White House correspondent Ed O’Keefe were more honest with their viewers. “50 million barrels of oil will be released from the nation’s strategic reserves. That’s a drop in the bucket since the U.S. uses 18 million barrels a day,” he informed them.
He also called out the Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm by saying “that was news” to her and played a clip of the Secretary not knowing that important figure:
O’KEEFE: How many barrels of oil does the U.S. consume per day?
GRANHOLM : That number is not in front of you.
It was a similar story on NBC where Tom Costello reported that “50 million barrels is roughly the equivalent of what Americans go through every two and a half days.” Although, he did boost Biden’s accusation that oil companies were “price gouging.”
But on a humorous note, at one point in the video portion of her report, Scott misspoke and said: “Today, the President tapping into the nation’s emergency reserve to help, releasing 50 million gallons of crude oil.”
The lucrative sponsorships of ABC made this huge spin job possible for President Biden. AmazonAnd Liberty Mutual. This link will take you to their contact information so that they can be contacted about biased news.
Below is the transcript. Click “expand to read:
ABC’s World News Tonight
November 23, 2021
Eastern, 6:35:51DAVID MURIR: We’ll be next to this story about President Biden, knowing that millions have traveled to Thanksgiving. Many people are driving. They also have to face high gas prices.
Today, the President Biden announced that the Administration will tap into strategic petroleum reserves (the nation’s emergency supplies) to bring down gasoline prices. It’s only one of many steps in a larger plan by the President, which also includes faster action at crucial ports.
Americans pay on average $3.40 per gallon, which is $1.29 less than last year. Today’s topic is how long until prices drop? ABC’s Rachel Scott reports from the White House.
[Cuts to video]
RACHEL SCOTT – As Americans prepare for the most costly Thanksgiving ever, President Biden is taking steps today to ease some of the pressure at the pumps.
JOE BODEN, PRESIDENT: We’re today launching a massive effort to lower the oil price. This effort will reach all corners of the world and eventually, God will allow it to reach you at your local gas station.
SCOTT: Drivers need relief as soon as possible. The average cost of a gallon has increased to $3.40 in the last year. This is $1.29 more than last year.
(…)
SCOTT: President Obama today released 50,000,000 gallons oil from the country’s emergency reserves.
BIDDEN We always manage to overcome spikes. But we will get past this one, hopefully quicker. It doesn’t necessarily mean we shouldn’t wait and hope for the price to fall on its own.
SCOTT: Jennifer Granholm, energy secretary, was able to give me an estimate of when the Americans would feel it.
Bottom line: When will Americans see pump prices fall and how long can you anticipate that to continue?
SEC. JENNIFER GRANHOLM (Department of Energy). It will not happen overnight, but over the next couple of weeks people should start to notice a difference.
SCOTT: Administration is acutely aware of the impact inflation and shipping delays are having on families.
(…)
[Cuts back to live]
MUIR – Americans have been closely watching all this. Rachel wants to know the most important question tonight: When will President Biden’s late-night announcement affect prices at the pump?
SCOTT: David, although it may take thirteen days before that oil is released from emergency reserves, economists believe the market has already felt the impact of President Obama’s decision. Americans can anticipate prices dropping at the pump within days. David?
MUIR Rachel Scott, White House Rachel, we are grateful.
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