Ronna McDaniel, Chair of Republican National Committee, tweeted Sunday that people are paying more for groceries, gas, and everyday goods. Every American pays a hidden tax when prices rise under Biden!Is it any wonder that we are seeing rising fuel prices and inflation? Senator John Barrasso (R.N.D.), wrote Friday in an opinion piece, pointing out White House policies that he claimed would reverse the U.S.'s oil boom of the last decade.This tactic is used by opposition parties to accuse sitting presidents of fuel price rises. It's also one Republicans tried unsuccessfully to use against Barack Obama a decade ago during a recovering economy. They are now pointing out Biden's ambitious climate changes plans, his pause in leasing new oil wells on federal lands and his cancellation of permits for the Keystone XL Pipeline as the culprits. However, none of these steps have had an immediate impact on motorists' fuel prices.WASHINGTON DC - JULY 2: U.S. President Joe Biden makes remarks at a naturalization ceremony that took place in the East Room, White House, on July 2, 2021 in Washington DC. The ceremony saw 21 people swear in as naturalized citizens. Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesExperts agree that the White House is not usually affected by short-term movements in gasoline prices. These are factors of global oil prices and U.S. refinery operation.However, the narrative has not stopped spreading to conservative media. There are pundits drawing comparisons with the Jimmy Carter administration and trickling down through viral social media posts pinning gasoline prices to Biden's climate agenda.Although the tightening of federal lands production by the Biden administration has no direct correlation to today's pump prices, in messaging, a president who restricts oil production makes himself vulnerable to criticism, according to Kevin Book, managing director of advisory firm ClearView Energy. It doesn't matter physics or economics. Communications is an entirely different world.Jeanette McGee, a spokesperson for AAA, stated that the main reasons for the price rise are the reawakening of the economy, as the country becomes more optimistic about vaccination against Covid-19 and increased global oil demand.The rise in prices is a sign that there has been an increase in economic activity, which the Biden administration is happy to claim credit for. McGee said that although prices are on the rise, they have not reached a level where Americans can make lifestyle changes to adapt to them. They range from $3.25 to 3.50 per gallon.McGee stated that vacations this summer will be extremely popular regardless of gas prices. It's back in full force.Jen Psaki, White House press secretary, pointed out that the U.S. economic strength is what drove up gasoline prices when she was asked about it Friday. However, she stated that the administration is sensitive about the impact rising gasoline prices can have on Americans and used the rise to support the White House's insistence not to raise gas taxes to fund the bipartisan infrastructure plan.Psaki stated that the president opposed a tax on gas, travel, or vehicle miles because he felt it would be on the backs Americans who return to their jobs, and who are returning their children to school.The prices of gasoline and oil are not rising to levels that were so outrageous during the George W. Bush administration (when they reached $4.10 per gallon) and the Obama administration (when they touched $4.05).After the pandemic, crude oil prices rallied after a slump in demand. U.S. benchmark oil prices are now trading at $75 per barrel, almost doubling their value last year. Low oil prices in the United States last year led to bankruptcy for dozens of companies. U.S. production is still below its peak in early 2020 at 2 million barrels per daily.However, voters can overlook this message due to the long-standing trend of president approval ratings being inversely linked to gas prices.This strategy is not unique to Republicans. Mark Jones, a Rice University political science fellow, points out that Democrats attacked Republicans in 2008's presidential election for the rise in gas prices. Book notes that Democrats did not stick to Trump's hot-topic points in the run up to 2020.Jones suggested that the Biden administration could counter this message by noting that gas prices rise during economic recovery. But Jones stated that Republicans will have a better story to sell.Jones stated that I believe the Biden administration would be best to try and deflect the topic, and instead focus on other topics.
