Voters warm to Republicans as gas prices fall
By Andrea Hopkins
RISING SUN, Indiana (Reuters) - Americans may hate politicians, but they love their cars. And from the look of it, a drop in gasoline prices may have made them like President George W. Bush and incumbent Republicans a little better.
A poll released on Thursday by Zogby International showed Bush's approval rating had risen to 42 percent from 34 percent in mid-August. In the same period, average U.S. pump prices have fallen 21 percent to $2.38 a gallon.
While Democrats hold a 9-point lead over Republicans when voters were asked which party they will support in the November midterm elections, Zogby said Republicans could benefit from the climb in Bush's approval.
Happier drivers seem a good first step.
"It feels a lot better when it's $2 a gallon instead of $3 a gallon," said Dan Thompson, a 43-year-old father of three from Lawrence, Kansas, who commutes more than 70 miles a day.
The drop in gas prices so close to the election has sparked conspiracy theories in car-crazy America, where 65 percent of households own two or more vehicles and drivers can do their banking, fill a prescription and buy food and even alcohol without ever leaving their vehicle.
"Sure gas prices are down. There's an election coming. You think that's a coincidence?" asked Indiana school bus driver and park director Mick Liggett, 61.
A Gallup poll showed 42 percent of Americans believed the Bush administration had deliberately manipulated the price of gas so that it would decrease before the November 7 midterm vote. Internet blogs are filled with skeptics questioning the relationship between Republicans and big oil.
While both the White House and market experts dismiss the conspiracy theory, Republicans are relieved the days of $3 a gallon gasoline are over, at least for now.
"It's very difficult for Democrats to use this as a campaign issue when every passing week drops the price of gas a nickel or a dime," said Ed Patru, spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee.
Rep. Steve Chabot, an incumbent Republican in a tight race to retain his Ohio district, said it was "difficult to predict" how the drop in prices would affect the election. But he said fewer voters were raising the issue on the campaign trail. Continued ...
Source: www.hotnewsbox.com
Popular links:
World business news
Latest politics
information
Sex womens health news
Computer technology news
Hot headline news
download legal mp3
music
Best DVD movie
Buy Car toys online
Rammstein mp3 download
