Americans see increasing gas prices as a problem for themselves and their families: in the latest Economist/YouGov Poll, more than three quarters say it is as serious problem, with 42% calling it "very serious."
Last year, results were similar. 80% said it was serious, and nearly half – 47% – said it was very serious.
But Americans are worried that gas prices this summer will rise even further than they have already (the current average is $3.72 per gallon, with prices beginning their summer price increase earlier than usual). They have jumped 19 cents a gal- lon in the last two weeks. 82% think gas prices are likely to go higher, and reach $5.00 per gallon by the summer (40% say that’s very likely), with concern especially high in the West (where the price of gas is already above $4.00 a gallon).
The rise in gasoline prices can become a campaign issue, and nearly half the public thinks a president should be able to keep gas prices low. But it is mainly a partisan belief. Only 22% of Democratic voters see the President as able to do this, compares with 72% of GOP voters.
There are several groups both parties hold responsible for high gas prices – oil companies and oil-producing countries, for example. But the parties also show longstanding difference, too. Democratic voters are somewhat more likely to blame increased demand for oil and to favor requiring car manufacturers to make cars more fuel efficient. GOP voters are much more willing to hold the Obama Administration and environmental regulations responsible.
As far as increasing fuel production, Democratic voters favor incentives for wind and solar power, Republican voters want incentives for oil production. Both groups of partisans favor incentives for production of natural gas; but there is only minority support to provide incentives for more coal and nuclear production.
There is very little support in both parties for a free market solution: only 13% of Democratic voters and just 6% of GOP voters would allow gas prices to rise to decrease reliance on oil for energy.
