SHOCK: Ruhle Suggests Biden Approve Keystone Pipeline to Lower Gas Prices

Stephanie Ruhle, twenty-four hours after a meltdown about President Joe Biden not selling “economic wins”, during the State of the Union Address, on Wednesday challenged Pete Buttigieg (Biden Transportation Secretary) over the steps the administration is taking to lower gas prices. 

Her first night on MSNBC as host was a success. The 11th Hour, Ruhle had Buttigieg on for an interview about gas prices and other transportation-related topics. Ruhle started with a response Biden provided to a reporter at the White House’s North Lawn. In it, he stated that Russia should be held accountable for aggression against Ukraine. This included banning Russian oil imports. 

Ruhle quickly reacted to the response by Biden. 

Despite rising oil prices, President Biden is open to the possibility of sanctioning Russian oil exports. The oil prices are at their highest since 2011. Prices have reached $113 per barrel. What does this mean? This has an effect on gas prices. 

Ruhle then brought on Buttigieg and immediately asked him what tangible things can this administration do” to address sky-high gas prices? Buttigieg said that many people overestimate the impact that one politician has on gas prices.

The conversation then turned to Biden’s plans for lowering the price of goods and services such as prescription drugs, housing and child care. He seemed to suggest that the President would be able lower those costs in order offset rising gasoline prices. 

Buttigieg seemed unaware of the paradox of claiming that the President could not lower gasoline prices, while at the same time claiming that the President can reduce the cost of other products. 

Ruhle was not having any of it. Ruhle was asked to remain focused on the issue at hand and said that those are long-term fixes for larger problems. You know that we live in an uncertain world. “I just want to keep on gazing for another minute.” Ruhle continued “you’re absolutely right, the President doesn’t set the price of gas but he can influence it.” Ruhle, channeling Lester Holt of NBC earlier in the afternoon, admitted that releasing crude oil from strategic reserves is a small step. 

Ruhle then made a shocking proposal to Buttigieg: 

It is controversial and has enormous environmental effects. Could the President consider authorizing Keystone? Do you have any ideas for Iran? 

Obviously, that was a nonstarter with Buttigieg, who immediately dismissed the idea. The Biden administration would let gas prices spike to $20 a gallon before they ever approve the Keystone pipeline. Ruhle is a good man for putting the nation’s wellbeing before their radical environmental agenda. 

For the complete transcript, click on “expand”. 

MSNBC’s 11th Hour
3/2/2022
Eastern at 11:24 p.m.

STEPHANIE ROHLE: President Biden is open to the possibility of sanctioning Russian oil exports despite rising costs. Prices for oil have reached their highest point since 2011 and are now at an all-time high. Prices have reached $113 per barrel. What does this mean? This has an effect on gas prices. 

(…) 

RUHLE It is only going to get worse. How can the administration address this problem now in tangible ways?

(…) 

PETE BUTTIGIEG – The truth is that I believe a lot people overestimate the impact any politician has on gas prices. Even a President of the United States, in an official leadership position, can make a difference. The President is asking for, seeking, and exercising options that can make a significant difference. 

(…)

The President sent a powerful message last night about how we can reduce the cost of living for Americans all over the country. No matter what’s happening with the ups and downs of gas prices in this moment or in any moment. With very precise actions, which are completely under Washington’s control, we know that American families can save thousands of dollars each year. The President presented specific recommendations to Congress, including lowering insulin costs, prescription drug prices, housing costs, and child care cost. And if they send them to the President he’ll sign them right away. American families will benefit from lower costs across all areas.

RUHLE: I hear you, sir. They aren’t long-term solutions, but they can be used to address larger issues. We live in a temporary world, you see. Therefore, I’m happy to continue using gas indefinitely. And you’re absolutely right, the President doesn’t set the price of gas but he can influence it. Although it may be important to make some strategic reserve, considering how little has been released, this is really a drop in a bucket. There are things that, while it’s controversial and has enormous environmental effects, the president might consider authorizing Keystone. Do you have any ideas for Iran? 

BUTTIGIEG – The President said all options were on the table. However, we must be careful not to chase temporary fixes for short-term problems.