A bit of presidential puffery was given short shrift after a Fox News reporter deflated a bonkers Biden brag.
A Wednesday exchange between President Joe Biden and Fort Myers Beach, Fla., Mayor Ray Murphy was reportedly overheard by reporters, thanks to a hot mic.
“No one f**** with a Biden,” Biden reportedly said with a grin.
“Yeah, you’re g**d*** right,” laughed Murphy.
The president was in the Sunshine State to survey damage caused by Category 4 Hurricane Ian.
“But it appears OPEC+ has done just that,” remarked Fox News reporter Peter Doocy. The group of oil producing countries, led by Saudi Arabia and Russia, were expected to announce a small decrease in oil production after their most recent meeting.
After oil producing countries met Wednesday in Vienna, Austria, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries announced they would pump two million fewer gallons per day, beginning in November.
Cutting petroleum production in the midst of a worldwide energy squeeze is seen as a slap in the face to Biden who visited Saudi Arabia to personally present his case to pump more oil. Less oil will probably translate into sharply higher energy prices for a market already constrained by supply struggling to meet demand.
Higher oil prices will help soften the blow of Western sanctions levied against Russia after it invaded Ukraine in February. Russia is one of the largest oil and gas exporters in the world. Even selling much of their exports at a discount to friendly countries like India and China has not kept Russia from reaping windfall energy profits this year.
Crude oil futures are trading higher Friday by more than $4 per barrel.
Higher oil prices will increase what Americans pay for gas at the pump, which may hurt Democrats during the midterm election next month.
Six oil refineries in California and Washington have reduced output due to planned maintenance, according to a Politico report.
California gas price increases have seen prices go to more than $2 per gallon above the national average, just before the midterm. Swing states Nevada and Arizona have also seen prices jump.
Democrats caught a break in the timing of when October inflation numbers will be released. October inflation numbers will not be released until November 10, two days after the election when consumers are made aware of them. If it is a lot more, voters typically take their frustration out on the party in power.
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