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Americans Blame Bush, Big Oil for Gas Prices
(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Adults in the United States hold two separate entities accountable for rising fuel costs, according to a poll by Opinion Dynamics released by Fox News. 23 per cent of respondents believe U.S. president George W. Bush and his administration are to blame for rising gasoline prices, while 20 per cent think domestic oil producers and big oil companies are responsible.
The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the Middle East are next on the list with 12 per cent, followed by Congress, consumers, inefficient cars and sport utility vehicle drivers, and Hurricane Katrina.
Hurricane Katrina hit the states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama on Aug. 29, shutting down eight refineries. The price of an oil barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange surpassed $70 U.S. last week, and eased back to $69 U.S after the federal government announced its decision to tap into the strategic petroleum reserve.
According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the national average cost of a gallon of fuel on Sept. 2 was $3.05 U.S., up from $2.11 U.S. in the last weekend of May.
In April, Bush declared, "I wish I could simply wave a magic wand and lower gas prices tomorrow; I'd do that. Unfortunately, higher gas prices are a problem that has been years in the making." 67 per cent of respondents think gas prices will be higher in six months.
Polling Data
Who do you think is most to blame for rising gasoline prices?
Aug. 2005 | May 2001 | |
The president / Bush administration | 23% | 9% |
Domestic oil producers / Big oil companies | 20% | 32% |
OPEC / Middle East | 12% | 19% |
Congress | 4% | 6% |
Consumers / Inefficient cars / SUV drivers | 2% | 8% |
Hurricane Katrina | 2% | -- |
Clinton administration | -- | 3% |
Environment | -- | 1% |
Combination / All | 15% | -- |
Other | 5% | 1% |
Not sure | 17% | 21% |
Six months from now, do you think gas prices will be higher, lower or about the same as they are today?
Higher | 67% |
Lower | 14% |
Same | 15% |
Not sure | 4% |
Source: Opinion Dynamics / Fox News
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 900 American registered voters, conducted on Aug. 30 and Aug. 31, 2005. Margin of error is 3 per cent.