There are a lot of reasons that the Republicans will get tossed out this November and in 08. Iraq, a shaky economy, Bush's disapproval rate and scandals, etc.
Malaise at home and abroad is nothing new---just look at Carter's administration for proof. The Energy Crisis in the 70s led to Carter's poll ratings sinking lower than Nixon's in the midst of Watergate. And the Carter comparison brings to mind the nail in the coffin:
HIGH GAS PRICES
Here are a few links to browse:
http://en.wikipedia.org/...
http://finance.yahoo.com/...
http://www.pbs.org/...
http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/...
http://www.fuelgaugereport.com/
The American people are very forgiving on many issues---but not things that directly impact their wallets. We've seen gas go from 1.75 to more than 2.60 nation wide. It may go well beyond 3 a gallon this summer.
GAS PRICES ARE UP 40 cents a gallon from last year!
Add to that the frustration of gas lines and the almost flippant answer of "conserve more", and you have TNT waiting to explode at the ballot box.
Democrats shouldn't be demagogues, but we have to point out Republican blame AND promise swift action.
Shouldn't Iraq's oil reserves mean low prices for us?
Shouldn't our newly friendly relations with Libya help?
Aren't countries like Mexico and Venuzula endebted to us?
Why haven't we pulled in favors and applied pressure?
Why haven't we even discussed tapping the national reserves?
Why haven't we discussed mandating higher fuel economy and alternative fuel sources?
A modified Prius got 99.9 miles per gallon!
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5199197
Getting more than 40 miles to the gallon isn't "liberal" or "conservative"---that's good for the wallet.
The Democrats have to wail on the Republicans on this issue. We have to resurrect the spectre of "Stagflation" and high gas prices. And we need a comprehensive energy plan.
If we can pull that off, we will take back both Houses and the Presidency in '08.
UPDATE:
Two more good links:
http://www.eia.doe.gov/pub/oil_gas/petroleum/analysis_publications/primer_on_gasoline_prices/html/petbro.html
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/gas-price4.htm
11 OPEC countries control 40% of the world's oil. On a whim, they can increase or decrease oil output by millions of barrels.