Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) is mad at President Obama because it cost him $70 to fill his Hummer up with gas.
A few hours before Obama was set to speak about energy policy at the University of Miami, West posted a rant on his Facebook page:
People have asked me before is there any area where I could praise President Obama? Certainly, he has an impeccable penchant for understanding the power of the bully pulpit. President Obama is also very adept at promulgating deceptive language masquerading as policy, actually just insidious political gimmickry. This "tax policy" is an example as well as today's speech on his "energy policy" shall be. Here is the bottom line, last night it took 70 dollars to fill the tank of my 2008 H3 Hummer, what is it costing you? What does it cost the President to fill his gas tank?
A Hummer H3 gets about 15 miles per gallon, which adds up to around $3,600 in fuel costs per year for someone driving 15,000 miles. It also has a 23-gallon tank.
Thursday afternoon Obama is expected to address Americans' anxiety over gas prices in a state where they have been especially high lately. The AP reported:
White House advisers believe Obama needs to address the recent spike in gasoline prices, even though they see it as a cyclical occurrence. The current $3.58 per gallon is the highest price at the pump ever for this time of year.
Obama aides worry that the rise in prices could reverse the country's economic gains and the president's improved political standing. A new Associated Press-GfK poll shows that though Obama's approval rating on the economy has climbed, 58 percent disapprove of what he's doing on gas prices.
Republicans have seized on the issue, citing Obama's decision to reject a permit for a cross-country oil pipeline as evidence of a misguided policy. Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum has warned of $5-a-gallon gas, while former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has said he could lower prices to $2.50 a gallon.
White House officials point to increased oil production and decreased consumption as evidence that Obama's policies are working and will lead to greater energy independence in the long run. But they assert there is little Obama – or any president – can do to change the trajectory of prices now.