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Public Blames Bush Administration for High Gas Prices
UTICA, N.Y. -- Faced with gasoline prices soaring to more than $2 per gallon, most likely voters say the Bush Administration's close ties to the oil industry are hurting consumers, a new Zogby America survey finds. By nearly a 5-to-1 margin, 57% to 12%, voters said that the administration's close ties to the oil industry are hurting, rather than helping, consumers.The Zogby America survey, conducted for The Wilderness Society, interviewed, from May 10 to May 13, 985 likely voters chosen at random nationwide. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 percentage points. Slight weights were added to region, party, age, race, religion, and gender to more accurately reflect the voting population. Margins of error are higher in sub-groups. Numbers have been rounded to the nearest percent and might not total 100.Here are the poll questions and results:Q. When it comes to gasoline prices, are the Bush Administration's close ties to the oil industry helping consumers or hurting consumers?Within every regional, age, education, and income subgroup, a majority or plurality say that Bush Administration's close ties to the oil industry are hurting consumers. Even among Republicans (28% - 20%) and self described conservatives (38% - 17%), more voters say the Administration's oil industry ties do more harm than good to consumers. Among the key Independent voting bloc, 64% say those industry ties are hurting consumers while just 8% say they are helping consumers. Q. Who do you feel is most responsible for rising gasoline prices?Despite recent claims by oil industry representatives and some members of Congress that environmental regulations are responsible for rising gasoline prices, most voters pin the blame on OPEC (42%), oil companies (30%), or President Bush (14%). Those most likely to blame OPEC are Republicans (53%), Easterners (51%), suburban voters (48%), and those making more than $75,000 per year (53%). Those most likely to blame the oil companies include Westerners (41%) and those making less than $25,000 per year (37%).Those most likely to blame President Bush include African-Americans (33%), Hispanics (24%), younger voters (22%), Democrats (22%), and those making less than $15,000 per year (21%).Q. Which of the following options do you think is the best response to rising gasoline prices in the U.S.? Option 1. Drill for more oil in the U.S., including areas like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. Option 2. Require automakers to build and sell more fuel-efficient cars, minivans, and SUVs. Option 3. Increase fines and penalties for oil companies that are found to be gouging consumers.Those most likely to choose fuel efficiency include Easterners (53%), Westerners (51%), college graduates (52%), and those making more than $75,000 per year (54%). Those most likely to choose increased fines and penalties for oil companies that are gouging consumers include Democrats (47%), Southerners (46%) and Midwesterners (45%), rural (49%) and small town (47%) voters, and those making less than $50,000 per year (46%).Very few voters see more drilling in the US, including in the Arctic Refuge, as the solution to rising gas prices. Zogby International has been tracking public opinion since 1984 in North America, Latin America, the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. The company is based in Utica, N.Y.POLL METHODOLOGY: www.zogby.com/methodology/index.cfm "