'You're welcome': President Obama accepts thanks for lowering gas prices, reconsiders gas tax

Brett T. | 5:29 PM on February 06, 2015

Speaking Friday at Ivy Tech Community College, President Obama did his best to show the audience the bright side of life in Obama’s America, noting that “a lot of families are saving a lot of money at the gas pump, which is putting some smiles on folks’ faces.” That line induced giggles in the audience and elicited a “Thank you” from one attendee. Obama’s response? “You’re welcome.”

https://twitter.com/sklemme/status/563800176138391552

The president did warn that gas prices will go back up, and it very well might be due to a federal gas tax hike that the White House has said is on the table after all.

“We are going to keep our eyes open and consider ideas… even if it’s not the elegant solution” put forward by WH, @PressSec on gas tax.

— Sam Stein (@samstein) February 3, 2015

that’s about as open as i have ever heard someone from the White House on a gas tax increase

— Sam Stein (@samstein) February 3, 2015

Just heard on FOX News: White House Budget Director: President is open to hiking gas tax.

— Liberty Bell 1000 (@LibertyBell1000) February 6, 2015

https://twitter.com/_HankRearden/status/563817792382963712

The president’s reference to lower gas prices did put smiles on the faces of those in the audience, though it’s possible those smiles will disappear the next time they fill up at the gas station. As Fortune reports today, gas prices spiked an average of 20 cents a gallon overnight.