White House uses largely symbolic measures to try to address rising fuel price, but this strategy is not working with the American voters.
President Barack Obama, whose bid for the 2012 elections could be complicated by the high price of gasoline, says he has no simple solutions that would lead to immediate price drop at the pump, reads a Reuters analysis.
His administration never used the strategic oil reserves, has not supported a major increase in domestic production of oil and not offered to reduce fees for drivers.
Instead, Obama and his advisers have blamed speculators for rising prices, have criticized oil companies for achieving record profits, have expressed sympathy for consumers and have urged world oil producers to increase production.
Long term solutions
At the same time, they pleaded for long-term solutions involving renewable energy and savings.
“The most important thing we can do is to have a long term strategy to ensure that we won’t get here again”, said Heather Zich, chief adviser on Obama’s energy problems.
This strategy includes reducing by one third, over the next ten years, of U.S. oil imports by increasing domestic production, fuel efficiency in cars, biofuel and natural gas promotion.
Americans upset with President
But the focus on long-term goals involves political risks for Obama, who wants to win another term. He already sees public support decreasing in the polls due to his management of the economy.
For example, a recent poll shows that 71% of those surveyed say that gas prices are causing them serious financial problems, while 57% disapproved of the way Obama handles the economy.
Republicans and oil industry lobbyists argue that there is a method that may work, but the Obama administration rejected it: more drilling.
White House officials say that their short term approach is in several directions. These include investigation on potential price fixing or public discussion about reducing consumption.
In the context of conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa affecting oil markets, U.S. foreign policy is another tool that could be used to influence prices which hit consumers.