Bush seems surprised at predictions of $4 gasoline BY MAURA REYNOLDS AND RONALD D. WHITE | Los Angeles Times
February 29, 2008
WASHINGTON - "Wait, what did you just say? You're predicting $4 a gallon gasoline?" a surprised President George W. Bush said yesterday when a reporter mentioned what energy analysts are saying could happen soon in many parts of the country.
"That's interesting," Bush said, "I hadn't heard that ... I know it's high now."
The prospect of sharply higher fuel prices, including $4 gasoline in some areas, may not have made it into the Oval Office briefing books, but even before the current surge, energy experts were predicting that the average price would soon reach $3.75 per gallon nationwide and top $4 a gallon in more expensive states.
And the price of oil, which hit record levels earlier this week, jumped again yesterday, closing at $102.59 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Bush's expression of surprise at how high gasoline prices could climb drew comparisons with his father, George H.W. Bush, who took a serious political hit when he was president after appearing to be unfamiliar with the scanners used in supermarket checkout counters. The incident was widely construed as suggesting the first Bush was out of touch with everyday life.
Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama seized on the current president's remarks, accusing Bush of failing to understand hardships ordinary Americans face as prices rise and the economy falters.
"If I'm not mistaken, was quoted today as saying he thought it was interesting that gas prices might reach $4 a gallon at the pump ..." the Illinois senator told reporters. "Let me suggest that as president of the United States I will know if we've got back-breaking prices at the pump and then I intend to try to do something about it."
The average U.S. pump price was $3.16 a gallon yesterday, according to AAA, but higher in many regional markets. The average price in the New York region was $3.32 per gallon, and in Los Angeles $3.36.