Koch's AFP Complains about Gas Prices, but Koch Speculation Helps Fuels High Prices at the Pump

by Will Dooling — November 3, 2012 - 10:38am

"At the Mt. View gas station in Wausau, Wisconsin last week, some motorists were able to secure a gallon of gas for $1.84, thanks to a subsidy from David Koch's Americans for Prosperity. These astroturf publicity stunts have taken place at gas stations around the country in recent weeks as part of AFP's effort to mobilize votes for Mitt Romney by drawing attention to an alleged rise in gas prices since President Barack Obama took office. But since most experts attribute the rise in gas prices to long term trends and crude oil commodity speculation, AFP's hijinks only underscore the role of Wall Street speculators -- including the Kochs themselves -- in jacking up critical commodity prices on average Americans.

AFP Subsidizing Gas to Woo Undecided Voters

The gas giveaway is part of AFP's larger "Obama's Failed Agenda" bus tour criss-crossing the nation from New Jersey to Wisconsin, where the group will spend the final days of the campaign.

AFP says the stunt is an attempt "To show just how bad policies lead to higher costs for American families," and places the blame for the rise in energy prices entirely on "Obama's policies." AFP New Jersey Director Steve Lonegan claims the increase in gas prices is due mostly to Obama's "radical, ideologically-driven ‘green agenda’ that has driven up gas prices to twice as high as they were four years ago,” which is nearly identical to comments made by AFP directors in other states."



"More importantly, AFP's energy campaign relies on the false notion that oil prices are determined strictly by the laws of domestic supply and demand: that prices would fall if only, somehow, the supply of oil were increased (perhaps by increased offshore drilling or the Keystone XL pipeline, both of which AFP supports)."

http://www.prwatch.org/news/2012/11/11836/kochs-afp-complains-about-gas-prices-koch-speculation-helps-fuels-high-prices-pum