[Darwinist]

The term "Gasoline Politics" comes to mind. No wonder both parties are scrambling to artificially lower the price of gas even if it hurts america in the long run. It seems that what they pay at the pump is inextricably linked with their assessment of political performance.

Nevermind anything else he does, as long he can keep the price of gas low he´s fine by most...

[USAMMAFAN]

his policy in iraq is what helped to contribute to that curve

[dunkel]

Originally Posted by USAMMAFAN

his policy in iraq is what helped to contribute to that curve

Of course it is...even though it's a near perfect match between gas prices and approval rating...

[USAMMAFAN]

Originally Posted by dunkel

Of course it is...even though it's a near perfect match between gas prices and approval rating...

what i meant is that his policy in iraq > gas prices > approval rating

[Darwinist]

Originally Posted by dunkel

Of course it is...even though it's a near perfect match between gas prices and approval rating...

Yeah....I wonder what the exact rate of corellation between the two curves is? Just by looking at it visually it´s very high, perhaps even as higs as 80-90%....

[dunkel]

Originally Posted by USAMMAFAN

what i meant is that his policy in iraq > gas prices > approval rating

That is an extremely simplistic way of looking at it. There are many reasons gas prices are high right now and events in Iraq are just a small piece of the puzzle. I would say the growing economies of China and India play a much larger role in increased oil prices than anything that's going on in Iraq. Or is Bush somehow responsible for that, as well?

[Darwinist]

Originally Posted by dunkel

That is an extremely simplistic way of looking at it. There are many reasons gas prices are high right now and events in Iraq are just a small piece of the puzzle. I would say the growing economies of China and India play a much larger role in increased oil prices than anything that's going on in Iraq. Or is Bush somehow responsible for that, as well?

He said, "helped contribute to" not "sole cause of"....

And Iraq, along with the generally agressive posture of the US in the middle east are in many ways driving the China/India/Russia buisness axis....only a fool would not think that the newfound sense of cooperation betwee, and resultant economic boom within those nations is not at least partially a response to the events of the last six years...

[dunkel]

Originally Posted by Darwinist

He said, "helped contribute to" not "sole cause of"....

And Iraq, along with the generally agressive posture of the US in the middle east are in many ways driving the China/India/Russia buisness axis....only a fool would not think that the newfound sense of cooperation betwee, and resultant economic boom within those nations is not at least partially a response to the events of the last six years...

Fair enough. But let's keep it in perspective.

Anyway, I think China and India would be growing their economies, regardless of what we're doing in the Middle East. They obviously take notice of what we do, but they are growing because they want to grow, not because they are reacting to us. China, especially, is looking towards superpower status and would be doing so whether we invaded Iraq or not. They have a very long view and are planning years ahead of what we are doing.

Does it all factor in? Yes, but again, to think that we're paying $3/gallon because of the war in Iraq is just silly.

[kartaron]

I never understood how polls jump like this. Did 2.75 gas suddenly make you lose your approval of Bush? If so when it declines to 1.95 will you regain your approval? Who are these fickle people and why do we care who they like or dont like today?

[dunkel]

Originally Posted by kartaron

I never understood how polls jump like this. Did 2.75 gas suddenly make you lose your approval of Bush? If so when it declines to 1.95 will you regain your approval? Who are these fickle people and why do we care who they like or dont like today?

It's a reasonable thing, I guess. Gas prices are something people have to deal with on an everyday basis. When they go up, we get pissed. Bush is the president...the biggest target for frustration when things are going wrong.

I'm not saying it's justified, but it makes sense that the average American would think that say.