Bush tries to head off panic over petrol prices

Panic appears to be gripping the Republican rank and file as President Bush's poll numbers take yet another dive southwards, reaching a new low of 32%.

The man, who's administration had hinted that the invasion of Iraq would lead to lower prices at the pump, was forced to take extraordinary action yesterday as petrol prices climbed to 30% higher than one year ago.

With the Republican rank and file demanding some kind of action to stave off almost certain defeat in November's mid term elections, Mr Bush announced a plan to halt the purchase of crude oil for the government's emergency reserve. America has enough fuel to guard against any disruption over the next few months, he said.

"So, by deferring deposits until the fall, we'll leave a little more oil on the market. Every little bit helps." Mr Bush also said he had instructed the Federal Trade Commission and the departments of justice and energy to investigate possible cheating on prices at the pump. Other elements of Mr Bush's plan called for the easing of environmental safeguards to speed the building of refineries, and air quality requirements on fuel grades. The president also repeated earlier calls to open up the Arctic wildlife reserve to drilling.

The last demand being the final proof that Bush simply doesn't get it.

Even when he's tanking in the polls he thinks he can persuade people one last time to open up the Artic wildlife reserve for a little bit of oil exploration.

Talk about out of touch.

So now Americans, accustomed to fuel prices that seem absurdly low to those of us on continental Europe, face the last lie regarding Bush's invasion.

It wasn't a cakewalk, they weren't greeted as liberators, the cost of the invasion wasn't mostly met by an increase in Iraq's oil production, and now - the final insult - it has actually triggered a 30% increase in the price of petrol at the pumps, rather than the cheap fuel that Americans were led to expect.

The rising fuel price is a fitting symbol of the total failure of the Iraqi war expedition. An expedition that is fast becoming the enduring symbol of a failed Presidency.

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