Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

LetMyPeopleVote

(180,683 posts)
50. MaddowBlog-Republican senator, seeking re-election, urges public to stop complaining about gas prices
Wed Apr 15, 2026, 06:59 PM
Wednesday

As GOP officials figure out what to say about prices at the pump, they should probably not follow Roger Marshall’s example.

Republican Sen. Roger Marshall, who’s up for re-election in Kansas, wants consumers to stop complaining about high gas prices because Trump needed to address Iran’s nuclear weapons ...

... which might make more sense, were it not for the inconvenient fact that Iran didn’t have nuclear weapons.

Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2026-04-15T17:02:42.965Z

https://www.ms.now/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/republican-senator-seeking-re-election-urges-public-to-stop-complaining-about-gas-prices

They should probably avoid following the example set by Republican Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas. The New Republic noted:

Republican Senator Roger Marshall wants Americans to stop complaining about gas prices because they’re necessary for ‘national security.’

Speaking on Newsmax’s ‘Wake Up America’ Tuesday morning, Marshall was asked about the Iran war, and the Kansas politician was dismissive of its negative economic effects on the American people.


I’m sorry the gas prices are going up, but help is on its way, and your national security, yes, is even more important than your pocketbook,” Marshall said.

Sen. Roger Marshall: "I'm sorry that gas prices are going up, but help is on the way, and your national security is even more important than your pocketbook."

Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2026-04-14T12:15:12.895Z


.....Joseph Cirincione, the vice chair of the Center for International Policy and a longtime expert on nuclear policy, recently told MS NOW that even if Iran could have developed material to use in a nuclear weapon, that would be the first of multiple, time-consuming steps — steps that officials in Tehran had not yet taken before the American president launched this war of choice.

The day the war began, The New York Times reported:

He was not driven by an immediate threat. There was no race for a bomb. Iran is further from the capability to build a nuclear weapon today than it has been in several years, thanks largely to the success of the president’s previous strike on Iranian nuclear enrichment sites, in June.

While Mr. Trump claimed Tehran was ultimately aiming to reach to the United States with its array of missiles, even his own Defense Intelligence Agency concluded last year that it would be a decade before Iran could get past the technological and production hurdles to produce a significant arsenal
.


With this in mind, the question is why the hapless junior senator from the great state of Kansas is so confused. It’s plausible to make a case that national security is more important than temporary hits to American wallets, but is Marshall prepared to make the case that illusory national security challenges are more important than consumers’ pocketbooks? Is this the message he’ll be emphasizing in the run-up to Election Day 2026?

Recommendations

1 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

If we had been attacked, I'm sure we'd all be pitching in but we weren't. We bombed Iran twice Deuxcents Tuesday #1
The very definition of "specious reasoning" Roy Rolling Wednesday #30
Here be a dragon 🐉 for ya! mwmisses4289 Wednesday #31
Well, senator, go to your local office and join the military if it's so important. sakabatou Tuesday #2
I second your motion..............and this Marshall guy is an idiot............... turbinetree Tuesday #3
Clearly Akakoji Wednesday #20
Or if he's to old, send his sons, daughters, grandkids, neices and nephews! mwmisses4289 Wednesday #33
REC THIS times a bluestarone Wednesday #37
Hey Roger Marshall, MarineCombatEngineer Tuesday #4
I approve this message! sheshe2 Tuesday #10
Thank you sheshe2. MarineCombatEngineer Tuesday #13
Barry Mcguire's lyrics sheshe2 Tuesday #16
Barry McGuire MarineCombatEngineer Wednesday #17
Yup. sheshe2 Wednesday #18
Trumpedo and his criminal cabal, MarineCombatEngineer Wednesday #19
IF and i say IF these bastards do what i'm feeling they will do to our great country, i only wish bluestarone Wednesday #38
From Pink Floyd dem4decades Wednesday #28
I appreciate your service, your awareness and your speaking up. dem4decades Wednesday #27
It's always the Guard or Reserve guys, who spent their entire time in uniform counting paper clips. paleotn Wednesday #49
Republican Senator is full of shit and backing a losing horse. Martin68 Tuesday #5
His future security depends on bankrupting us now. dickthegrouch Tuesday #6
The MAGA campaign slogan IronLionZion Tuesday #7
Fuck Off Nazi ***** Cha Tuesday #8
A gross characterization and comparison. Bristlecone Tuesday #9
If oil is a matter of national security, then the oil companies should be nationalized. ChicagoTeamster Tuesday #11
War is more important than your pocket book But Farmer-Rick Wednesday #39
And in the meantime, As long as Israel keeps bombing Lebanon, Iranian missiles hit Israel, and Iran just got more parts ChicagoTeamster Wednesday #40
Good question all, Farmer-Rick Wednesday #44
What that repuke says is, he doesn't suffer with his big salary Justice matters. Tuesday #12
He also believes in ivermectin. Read his bio. littlemissmartypants Tuesday #14
This war was fought by the US for Israel and because of Epstein. Intractable Tuesday #15
that POS comparing this crap to WWII Skittles Wednesday #21
Well, it could be the beginnings of WWIII! Intractable Wednesday #23
yup, there was a reason America entered WWII Skittles Wednesday #24
Dear Senator Asshole, Did Congress declare war? No? Then fuck off you useless piece of shit!!! cstanleytech Wednesday #22
Roger Marshall represents Kansas. raccoon Wednesday #25
I have him for a Senator, he's a Trump ass kissing jackass Bengus81 Wednesday #32
Then why war when this country won't be worth "saving"? no_hypocrisy Wednesday #26
Unless of course it affects his pocket book. Irish_Dem Wednesday #29
He's actually running for reelection. boonecreek Wednesday #34
Except it's Kansas. maxsolomon Wednesday #41
They've had a Democratic governor (Laura Kelly) since 2009. boonecreek Wednesday #46
Where I grew up they would say he is "suckin' off of the public tit". twodogsbarking Wednesday #35
When is the cease fire, well, over? twodogsbarking Wednesday #36
Dear Senator Fucknuts (yeah, YOU Marshall!!), MyOwnPeace Wednesday #42
From KS here Racygrandma Wednesday #43
He's up for reelection this year PghTiny Wednesday #45
Same for YOU, dude. calimary Wednesday #47
Not going Rebl2 Wednesday #48
MaddowBlog-Republican senator, seeking re-election, urges public to stop complaining about gas prices LetMyPeopleVote Wednesday #50
Our actions are shameful. I do not like bullies. walkingman Wednesday #51
What a f-ing idiot.. raising2moredems Wednesday #52
Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Republican Senator Says W...»Reply #50