(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in the United States are worried about rising fuel costs, according to a poll by TNS released by the Washington Post and ABC News. 64 per cent of respondents say recent price increases in gasoline are a financial hardship.

For the past month, gas prices have risen all over the U.S. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the national average cost of a gallon of fuel is currently $2.22 U.S. In each of the country's 50 states, the price of gasoline is higher than $2.00 U.S.

On Apr. 20, U.S. president George W. 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." 31 per cent of respondents blame the Bush administration for rising fuel costs, 26 per cent believe other oil-producing countries are responsible, and 23 per cent say U.S. oil companies are liable.

On Apr. 25, Bush met with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Abdullah in Texas. The U.S. president urged the de-facto political leader of the kingdom to boost oil production, saying, "A high oil price will damage markets and he knows that. (...) The price of crude is driving the price of gasoline."

Polling Data

Have recent price increases in gasoline caused any financial hardship for you or others in your household, or not?

Who do you blame for the recent rise in oil and gasoline prices?

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