As prices at the gas pump continue to rise, voters are seeking to blame anyone who might have a part to play — even former President Donald Trump.
More than half of voters report experiencing financial hardships due to rising gas prices, with 1 in 5 noting “serious” difficulties, according to a recent Ipsos/ABC News poll. Drivers are trying to place the blame on various actors, with the majority pointing the finger at oil companies and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
About 71% say Putin has affected gas prices “a great deal” or “a good amount,” with another 68% placing the blame on oil companies. Voters also expressed dissatisfaction with President Joe Biden and Democratic policies, with 51% and 52% blaming them for the higher prices, respectively.
OIL COMPANIES REFUSE TO PARTICIPATE IN GAS PRICE HEARING, ANGERING DEMOCRATS
Republican policies fared better, with only 33% placing a large share of the blame on the GOP, and less than one-quarter faulted Trump (24%).
Overall, a majority (68%) condemned Biden’s handling of the price increases, with almost all Republicans (93%) disapproving, compared to 41% of Democrats.
The rising prices could prove critical to Democrats’ hold on power in the midterm elections as Biden’s approval numbers dwindle. Rising prices have historically seemed to affect presidential approval, as each 10-cent price increase typically saw about a 0.6 percentage-point decrease from 1976 to mid-2007, according to a Stanford study.
Republicans have capitalized on this trend, with several GOP lawmakers holding successful voter drives at gas stations over the last few months. Former Democrats who have converted to the Republican Party are surging in Pennsylvania. Four times more Democrats have switched allegiance than Republican voters in the battleground state.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
As a result, Republicans are more enthusiastic about voting in November than Democrats, according to the Ipsos/ABC News poll.
The survey was conducted among 530 adults from April 8-9 with a margin of error of 4.9 percentage points.
