National (US) Poll * June 14, 2007 * Rising Gas Prices Force Americ - Quinnipiac University

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June 14, 2007 - Rising Gas Prices Force Americans To Drive Less, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; Oil Companies, President Bush Top The Blame List

Word format Rising gasoline prices are a "very serious problem" for them and their families, 41 percent of American voters say in a Quinnipiac University national poll released today, as another 32 percent say gas prices are a "somewhat serious problem."
Because of rising gas prices, 58 percent of American voters say they have "cut back significantly" on how much they drive, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. In a separate question, 48 percent of Americans say they have "cut back significantly" on household spending to pay higher gas prices.
Rising gas prices have forced 33 percent of Americans to change their summer vacation plans, while 64 percent say they have not changed their plans because of gas prices.
Asked whom they blame most for rising gasoline prices:
43 percent of American voters blame oil companies; 20 percent blame President George W. Bush; 13 percent cite supply and demand; 11 percent blame oil producing countries; 4 percent blame American drivers.
"American voters say rising gasoline prices are striking close to home, as most are cutting back on their driving and many are reducing other household expenses. But rather than pointing the finger at oil-producing countries, especially favorite targets such as Iran and Saudi Arabia, two-thirds of Americans blame the oil companies and the President with roots in the oil business," said Maurice Carroll, Director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
"We pay rising prices at the pump and we read about rising oil-company profits on the business pages," Carroll said.
"And President Bush is so unpopular now, Americans will blame him for anything that goes wrong on his watch."
From June 5 - 11, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,711 American voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.4 percent.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and nationwide as a public service and for research.
For more data -- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x271.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.
30. How much of a problem has the rising price of gasoline been for you and your family lately - a very serious problem, a somewhat serious problem, a not too serious problem, or not a problem at all?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Very serious problem 41% 33% 44% 41% 36% 45% Smwht serious 32 32 31 33 31 32 Not too serious 18 24 18 16 22 15 Not a problem at all 8 11 6 9 10 7 DK/NA 1 - 1 - - 1 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME...... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K Very serious problem 62% 42% 33% 22% Smwht serious 20 35 40 31 Not too serious 11 17 20 30 Not a problem at all 5 6 8 16 DK/NA 1 - - -
TREND: How much of a problem has the rising price of gasoline been for you and your family lately - a very serious problem, a somewhat serious problem, a not too serious problem, or not a problem at all?
Jun 14 Jun 2 2007 2006 Very serious problem 41 35 Smwht serious 32 37 Not too serious 18 21 Not a problem at all 8 7 DK/NA 1 -
31. As a result of the recent rise in gas prices, have you cut back significantly on your household spending or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 48% 40% 53% 48% 44% 52% No 51 60 46 52 56 47 DK/NA 1 - 1 - - 1 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME...... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K Yes 66% 53% 43% 25% No 32 47 56 75 DK/NA 1 1 - -
TREND: As a result of the recent rise in gas prices, have you cut back significantly on your household spending or not?
Jun 14 Jun 2 2007 2006 Yes 48 50 No 51 49 DK/NA 1 1
32. As a result of the recent rise in gas prices, have you cut back significantly on how much you drive or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 58% 48% 61% 62% 53% 62% No 41 51 37 37 46 36 DK/NA 1 1 2 2 1 1 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME...... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K Yes 73% 64% 53% 36% No 24 35 46 64 DK/NA 3 1 1 -
TREND: As a result of the recent rise in gas prices, have you cut back significantly on how much you drive or not?
Jun 14 Jun 2 2007 2006 Yes 58 56 No 41 43 DK/NA 1 1
33. As a result of the recent rise in gas prices, have you changed your summer vacation plans?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 33% 23% 38% 35% 33% 33% No 64 75 59 63 65 64 DK/NA 3 2 3 2 2 3 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME...... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K Yes 42% 36% 32% 18% No 54 62 67 81 DK/NA 4 2 1 1
34. Who do you blame the most for the recent increase in gasoline prices - oil producing countries, oil companies, President Bush, Americans who drive vehicles that use a lot of gasoline or normal supply and demand pressures.
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Oil countries 11% 17% 7% 10% 9% 12% Oil companies 43 42 42 44 45 41 President Bush 20 6 30 21 18 22 American drivers 4 2 4 5 4 4 Supply and demand 13 21 9 13 16 11 DK/NA 9 11 9 7 8 10 ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME...... <30K 30-50 50-100 >100K Oil countries 12% 9% 13% 12% Oil companies 37 49 47 39 President Bush 30 19 16 14 American drivers 2 4 3 8 Supply and demand 9 11 15 22 DK/NA 10 9 6 6