Some Democratic strategists fear midwestern voters will blame the administration for the region's skyrocketing gas prices. Gore called yesterday for a broad Federal Trade Commission investigation into possible price-gouging by oil companies, as he tried to defuse Democratic liability on the issue. I think that justifies a much broader investigation into possible collusion, price gouging and antitrust violations. Politicians have promoted assorted options for dealing with the rising price of gasoline, including tapping the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and lifting clean-air restrictions in the Midwest. It's a big issue.
Gas prices are something people feel very immediately and personally.
The Gore campaign strategists' concern over gas prices lies in the fear that voter discontent has already begun to translate into deteriorating consumer confidence and public faith in the economy, crucial Democratic themes this election year. Gore campaign officials are finding anger at gas prices to be at the top of voters' priorities in the Midwest battleground where the outcome of the presidential contest is likely to be decided. This hurts in the worst way. It makes people worry about the future, they lose their optimism, they get angry when they fill up on the way to work, and they think the political system has let them down. Another Bush official noted with some relish that the gas price increases amount to a direct assault on Gore's campaign theme stressing economic prosperity.