"The White House scrambled Monday to contain the political damage from rising gas prices, which have emerged as a primary threat to President Obama’s reelection."
"Obama gave White House interviews touting his energy policies to TV stations in several regions, including the battleground states of Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania, and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar appeared in the White House briefing room to emphasize that 'all options are on the table' to lower prices.
Monday’s efforts were just the latest in an aggressive messaging blitz that has included three recent swing-state speeches touting Obama’s backing for oil drilling, federal investments in green energy and his administration’s tougher fuel economy rules.
But a Washington Post/ABC News poll released Monday suggested the effort is falling flat with voters upset about prices at the pump, which according to AAA are now averaging $3.80 per gallon — a 30-cent increase in the last month alone."
Ben Geman reports for The Hill's E2 Wire blog March 12, 2012.
SEE ALSO:
"Obama's Media Blitz on High Gas Prices" (Politico)
"CBS/NYT poll: Obama's Approval Ratings Upside-Down, Hits New Low" (Politico)
"A Secure Energy Future: Progress Report" (White House)
"Voters Blame President for Gas Prices, Experts Say Not So Fast" (Washington Post)
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