Earlier this week, I speculated that skyrocketing gasoline prices might push down [farther] George W. Bush's poll ratings, particularly this summer, just as the campaign season heats up.
Last night, before heading off to bed, the 11 pm news teaser caught my attention: "Gas prices on the way up", the local broadcaster announced.
I thought the price hikes wouldn't really begin for a few months, perhaps after April 1, when OPEC production cuts are slated to take effect. Obviously, according to the news, I was caught napping, so I sent the Googling Monkeys (GMs) off to do their thing:
Price of gas rises 6 cents
Salem Statesman Journal, OR - 3 hours ago
Gas Prices Could Soar to $3 Per Gallon
KSL-TV, UT - 11 hours ago
Gas prices on the rise again
Pittsburgh Business Times, PA - 21 hours ago
Gas prices keep rising, rising, rising
Tri-Valley Herald, CA - Feb 25, 2004
Overnight gas prices jump 8 cents in Valley
Arizona Republic, AZ - Feb 25, 2004
Local gas prices reflecting hikes seen across SC
Greenwood Index Journal, SC - Feb 24, 2004
Gas prices on the way up
Newsday, NY - Feb 24, 2004
Before I cash in on my obvious newfound psychic talents and head down to Moran's Market for a Megabucks ticket, I have an insight or two for the Administration, just in case they're paying attention. While Republicans wrote off California and New York years ago, you really don't want to see too many headlines like these emanting from Arizona or the Carolina's, no matter how large Bush's margin of victory in 2000. It only takes so many straws to break that camel's back, and thus adding record high gas prices to massive job losses and inflated local unemployment rates might just turn one or more red states a shade or two bluer.
I wonder how long before we hear talk of tapping into the Federal Oil Reserve. I'll send out the GMs this weekend to see if my predictive abilities continue to hold up.
Posted by MB Williams at February 26, 2004 06:35 AM | TrackBackBack last September, in "The Bush Bomb" I explained that if Bush revved up the economy with federal borrowing and spending - which he did - it would create rising gas prices which would, rapidly, offset the effect of the spending.
The election is there on the table, should we decide to take it.
The Bushies will use the price rises to revive their drill-ANWR energy bill.
And when that doesn't work, there's always a turrerrists incident.
Bush is, after all, a war president. And Dick Morris (yep, that one) did just yesterday suggest that Bush is losing momentum because he's winning the war too fast.
Really...
Posted by: JB at February 26, 2004 03:29 PM