Article: How gas prices figure into 'big picture' politics; As pump prices break records, Democrats begin an effort to tie them to Bush policies.(USA)

Byline: Linda Feldmann Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor

WASHINGTON -- So far, the American public isn't blaming President Bush for steadily spiraling gasoline prices. The global oil- producing cartel is the bad guy, in the eyes of most Americans. But in an election year, hot issues usually feed into voter decisionmaking. Democrats are working overtime to make sure $2-plus-per-gallon gas works to their advantage. Republicans are pedaling furiously to keep the blame at bay.

For the Bush administration, with close ties to the Saudis and a president and vice president both from the Texas oil and energy world, the dangers are obvious. The White ...

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