Can the LOW Gases Prices help Hillary Clinton and Democrats win and Remain in the White House?

SPC Andrew Griffin — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 20:06:53 -0500

Gas prices have plummeted in the past 2 Years! The National Average in the United States is under $1.75 a gallon according to AAA. American Families are expected 2 save $320 this year! That's on top of a $660 A Household in savings last year! Cheap Gas is a HUGE Advantage 4 Democrats! Gas Prices haven't had this dramatic of a fall in the 2 years leading to a Presidential Election since World War 2

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Mar 8 at 2016 8:13 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 20:13:09 -0500

I seriously doubt it will have any affect but definitely bragging rights for President Obama considering what they were when he took office. With Iran flooding the Market I guess to some small degree he can claim credit.

Response by CW2 Ernest Krutzsch made Mar 8 at 2016 8:56 PM

CW2 Ernest Krutzsch — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 20:56:42 -0500

Funny how they take credit when things go right, but blame someone else when things go wrong. It was not his doing that gas went down, US production was primarily on Private property, that forced OPEC's hand and the supply exceeded the demand, basic capitalist principles

Response by MSgt Michael Bischoff made Mar 8 at 2016 9:35 PM

MSgt Michael Bischoff — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 21:35:21 -0500

Last time gas was real high it is always the president fault but the opposition is always quite about the price drop credit, love politicians

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2016 10:22 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 22:22:37 -0500

Obama nor any Democrat or Republican has anything to do with the rise or fall of oil/gas prices. There are a lot of factors involved that most people do not realize and they fall for the old political game of look what I did. Price on oil/gas involves things like OPEC, the amount of crude oil on the market, supply vs demand, refineries, transportation.

Response by SSG Jesse Cheadle made Mar 8 at 2016 10:30 PM

SSG Jesse Cheadle — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 22:30:43 -0500

A $0.50 or $1.00 difference will not sway my vote! I dont care who did it or why. Its nice but shows how the big G can supress its people and do it to their advantage. How about that?

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Mar 8 at 2016 10:31 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 22:31:28 -0500

Although "fact checkers" dispute this claim, President Obama was banking on increased gas prices to make his green energy projects economical. Members of his Administration openly talked about the benefits of European-style gas prices in this context. He opposed fracking, purportedly to "save the environment", but most notably to prevent gas prices from plummeting. Now that he is struggling to cobble together some kind of legacy, he will take credit for anything and everything that looks even remotely favorable. So, let's say that all of this is disputable. Let's then focus on the national treasure that he and his party have squandered on green energy industries that have failed. No matter which side he attempts to take in this debate, President Obama looks like a loser simply because he does not embrace the only thing that has ever worked in this country, free market capitalism. In fighting it, he and his party cannot claim the credit for any positive results.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Mar 8 at 2016 10:48 PM

Capt Tom Brown — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 22:48:33 -0500

Gasoline was $1.45 here in Austin for a while, but back up to $1.55. The oil companies and oil speculators are just begging for any excuse, rumor, or fond idea that oil prices mite be going back up. Enjoy the good times while you can.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2016 10:48 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 22:48:55 -0500

SPC Andrew Griffin , I believe that's a valid question. I personally vote over principles, and the price of gas won't change who I vote for. However, I am saving way over the $320 national average. The price of gas was really pinching me last year. I can't imagine that some voters won't give this administration some credit for their financial relief.

Response by TSgt Kenneth Ellis made Mar 9 at 2016 12:01 AM

TSgt Kenneth Ellis — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 00:01:50 -0500

Obama had nothing to do with gas prices coming down. He single handedly destroyed the coal industry.

Response by CPO Frank Coluccio made Mar 9 at 2016 12:06 AM

CPO Frank Coluccio — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 00:06:26 -0500

The only effect on voting will be with people who do not understand the economy of oil.
For OPEC to pump a barrel of oil, it costs them roughly $30-$40.
For US/Canadian oil companies to pump that same barrel it costs roughly $60-$70.
When the increased production of US/Canadian oil began biting into OPEC's profits, they made the choice to flood the market and drive the prices down.
With oil as cheap as it is today, OPEC is MUCH better able to handle the drop in prices. Sure they are losing money, but NO WHERE near as much as US/Canadian companies are.
So enjoy the low prices now, because as soon as the US/Canadian oil businesses crash, not if-but when, OPEC will once again start reducing production and the glut will dry up, forcing prices back up. But this time there won't be the US/Canadian companies to back-stop OPEC.

BTW - you can thank Clinton for the high cost of pumping US oil. The regulations he instituted in the 90s he passed crippled US pumping and refining of oil and NG

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2016 12:20 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 00:20:07 -0500

My feelings with regards to POTUSes past and present aside, I've taken enough economics to know that oil production is next to inelastic; meaning that it is almost completely demand driven and has nothing to do with Obama, or Bush, or anybody else who's ever shacked up at 1600 Penn.
On a side note, I'm not sure whether I want to downvote this or not for sounding like one of those cheesy "one weird trick" scams you see at the bottom of websites. Decisions, decisions, amirite?

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2016 5:11 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 05:11:57 -0500

I never blamed Bush for high gas prices. Obama can't take credit for low gas prices. Presidents have absolutely no power to effect the DJIA or gas prices. Everyone is getting their collective panties in a wad over who will get elected President. No matter who get elected, they will have little to no effect on anything. Republicans are red, democrats are blue, and neither of them give a crap about you.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2016 6:30 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 06:30:11 -0500

Fuel prices in December 2008 where at a nationwide average price of $1.648 a gallon, according to motorist group AAA. The survey bases its information on credit card swipes from up to 100,000 service stations across the nation. So he inherited low prices. But to be fair the President really doesn't have much say in fuel prices.

Response by Maj John Bell made Mar 9 at 2016 6:50 AM

Maj John Bell — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 06:50:09 -0500

I will make four bold statements that I cannot prove.

1) Every President and every party has tried to take credit for any economic good that happens when they are in power.

2) Every President and every party has tried to shift the blame for any economic bad that has happened, to the other party.

3) The economy is a wild bull. Good things happen. Bad things happen. Most of that has little to do with the people in power.

4) If any President or party accepted the responsibility for bad economic news, or gave credit to the other party for good economic news. We the people would have one huge collective heart attack.

Anyone disagree?

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Mar 9 at 2016 8:22 AM

SSgt Jim Gilmore — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 08:22:03 -0500

No, gas prices are not controlled by the pinheads inside the DC Beltway. Oil prices are determined on the futures market and supply and demand. It is not influenced by whomever sits in the chair at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Mar 9 at 2016 8:30 AM

SGT Richard H. — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 08:30:46 -0500

They didn't help the republicans stay in the white house. If you recall, Gas was almost down to $1.00 toward the end of President Bush's term.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Mar 9 at 2016 9:35 AM

LTC Kevin B. — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 09:35:08 -0500

Politics....explained in one simple graphic.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2016 9:38 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 09:38:49 -0500

Well it should not but too many Americans do not understand what actually contributes to gas prices. Ultimately, the President has little/nothing to do with what controls gas prices.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2016 9:45 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 09:45:28 -0500

If the price of oil (which something our congress/white house doesn't control) determines which party wins the election - then we as a country have larger issues at hand than I originally thought.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2016 9:46 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 09:46:05 -0500

I will comment on the picture since the President has little to no influence on gas prices aside from tax policy. Market forces and global instability have far more bearing on price at the pump.

I think it should be noted that as gasoline prices bottomed out a few weeks ago, the President proposed a $10 a barrel tax on oil, which would effectively raise gas prices by about 20 cents a gallon.
When gas prices are low, democrats look for ways to raise taxes; when they are high, they blame "big oil".

Response by CPT Gary Jugenheimer made Mar 9 at 2016 10:39 AM

CPT Gary Jugenheimer — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 10:39:12 -0500

I would not blame nor commend this POTUS for anything....he is unworthy!

Response by SGT William Howell made Mar 9 at 2016 11:02 AM

SGT William Howell — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 11:02:02 -0500

Obama has done everything he can to raise gas prices. From kaboshing the oil pipeline from Canada to trying to levying taxes on petroleum companies.

So I think your question should read, "Are liberals effective in the White House? They can't even keep gas prices up, despite bowing to every minority cause that comes along which is trying to ruin the American free market system?"

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Mar 9 at 2016 11:12 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 11:12:54 -0500

The following article gives the reasons for the low prices. The only one that the President could possibly take credit for (wrongly so because most of the production is on lands that the government do not control) is the increased production of gas and oil in the USA. The rest are totally beyond his control. The low costs are despite all the efforts by the administration to curb the use of fossil fuel use by the EPA, BLM, subsidies to green scams, denying the Keystone Pipeline.......

http://www.bankrate.com/finance/economics/reasons-gasoline-prices-drop-5.aspx

4 Reasons Gasoline Prices Will Keep Falling | Bankrate.com

The typical American household spent about $1,120 less on gas last year than in 2014. And you can expect to pay even less for fuel in 2016.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2016 11:53 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 11:53:38 -0500

Is it the Democrats that lowered the gas prices or the way certain Oil Companies and interests are trying to kill off smaller oil companies?

Besides that, who controls the House right now?

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Mar 9 at 2016 12:04 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 12:04:54 -0500

Not unlike the condition of the economy in general (and you do learn this lesson Day 1, Econ 101), the President has no direct control or effect on the cost of oil and thus the cost of gas.

I guess I didn't actually ANSWER the posted question when I 1st responded.

Could it help the Democrats? Many people do vote with their pocketbooks--even when the elected class have NOTHING to do with people's economic realities--but there are other considerations besides low gas prices; where is American personal wealth such as savings, investments, property values, etc. today than before the President took office; what are the types and quality of employment today compared to before, and by that I mean FT vs. PT, higher pay vs. lower pay, etc.?

Again, how much of this is a direct result of the President? Next to none of it really, but a fuller picture of how people "feel" about the economy will determine how much of a boost the Democrats get at the polls.

Response by PV2 Scott Goodpasture made Mar 9 at 2016 9:54 PM

PV2 Scott Goodpasture — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 21:54:53 -0500

I wasn't aware the POTUS sets gas prices. It's more likely the Saudis flooded the market in hopes of toppling Iran's economy