Gas prices rise as presidential election approaches - Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic, and Sports | FOX 5

Gas prices are once again rising.  According to AAA, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is now $3.65 -- a jump of 3 cents from Monday.

Across Georgia, AAA says the price has increased by 9 cents a gallon from last week and 30 cents a gallon from a month ago.

All of this happening as voters make final decisions on the next president.
    
Political experts downplay the direct impact of high gas prices on a presidential election, but to the extent that high prices reflect continuing economic struggles,  the price at the pump could add to President Obama's election-year challenges.

The president's energy plan has been described as an "all-of-the-above strategy":  oil, natural gas and coal, but also alternative energies and new fuel efficiency standards.

Presumed Republican candidate Mitt Romney has focused on new oil exploration, including waters off the east coast and federal lands.

For voters, the rising cost of gas and the ability of a president to address it is just one of many factors that will go into a decision at the ballot box.

"I certainly think Mitt Romney has the best chance to take charge back of what our foreign policy is, to get a handle on supply and demand, to be able to control in a responsible way our alternative energies," said Robert Lyle.

"I honestly don't feel that Mitt Romney or President Obama have anything to do with the rise in gas prices....nor, really when they say they have a plan to lower gas prices, I'm kind of skeptical about that as well," said Iva Williams.

After going up and down, the average price of gas right now in the metro area is back at about the same level as this time a year ago.    

The coming weeks could bring a change in gas prices and the resulting political impact. Analysts expect prices to fall after Labor Day as cheaper gas blends return and travel drops off.