Unwelcome October surprise for Bush

Published October 15, 2004 2:58PM (EDT)

Wasn't Prince Bandar supposed to take care of this for Bush? Some friend.

"The average price for gasoline is almost certain to top $2 a gallon Friday, and the average could hit a record over the weekend or early next week as fuel prices rebound much faster and appear headed much higher than experts had predicted."

"'It is incredibly unusual to have gasoline prices higher on Halloween than on the spring and summer holidays,' says Tom Kloza, senior analyst at Oil Price Information Service, which surveys prices daily at 60,000 gas stations."

" ... Prices are about 42 cents a gallon higher than a year ago, adding roughly $200 to the yearly fuel bill for a midsize sedan, $300 for a midsize sport-utility vehicle, perhaps $500 for a full-size SUV that uses premium fuel."

"Higher gas prices have a wide impact because most people can't simply quit commuting to work or school. 'Gasoline prices affect almost everyone 16 years of age or older,' EIA noted this week."


By Geraldine Sealey

Geraldine Sealey is senior news editor at Salon.com.

MORE FROM Geraldine Sealey


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