• In an Associated Press-Gfk poll last month, 51 percent of adults said they thought recent increases in gas prices were due to “oil companies that want to boost profits” rather than changes in the global oil market. Nine percent said higher prices stemmed from a combination of both, 37 percent from changes in the market.

• A McClatchy-Marist poll this week showed that only 11 percent of drivers blame Obama and the Democrats. Still, high gasoline prices are a likely factor in a drop in Obama’s overall approval rating and a big increase in the ranks of Americans who say the country is the country’s headed in the wrong direction.

Associated Press, McClatchy