Bob CollinsLast-day housekeeping: Let’s update the old misguided and inaccurate barometer to measure presidential performance that surfaced often since the dawn of NewsCut 9 years ago.
Gasoline prices were a big AM-radio talker when gasoline prices hit $4 a gallon, declaring that energy policies dictated gasoline prices. It was a big push from the conservative Heritage Foundation, you may recall. As I wrote in January 2011, the assertion failed to look at the worldwide economy effect on energy prices. Gasoline was at a low eight years ago because the economy was in the tank.
But let’s update the chart I used at the time, while noting that it proves absolutely nothing.
| President | Price at beginning of term | Price at end of term | Difference |
| Clinton – 1st term | $1.05 | $1.23 | +17% |
| Clinton – 2nd term | $1.23 | $1.45 | +18% |
| Bush – 1st term | $1.45 | $1.83 | +26% |
| Bush – 2nd term | $1.83 | $2.70 | +48% |
| Obama – 1st term* | $2.70 | $3.03 | +12% |
| Obama – 2nd term | $3.03 | $2.36 | -22% |
