(AP Photo)
(CNSNews.com) – The average price for one gallon of unleaded gasoline has increased nearly every month since Barack Obama was inaugurated in January 2009. At that time, when George W. Bush was leaving office, the price was $1.78 per gallon. Today, three years and one month later, the average price is $3.64.
In addition, according to the average price data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices (in nominal dollars: not adjusted for inflation) peaked during Bush’s second term at $4.09 per gallon in July 2008 and then fell to $2.15 in November, when there was an election, and fell further in December 2008 to $1.68 per gallon.
When Bush entered office in January 2001, the price was $1.47 per gallon. (It peaked in Bush’s first term at $2.02, in October 2004.)
Under President Obama, prices have not fallen below $2.05 per gallon since April 2009, and the highest average price, so far, was $3.93 in May 2011.
This week, CBS News reported that a shell station in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., was charging $5.99 per gallon for premium, and another station in Orlando, Fla., was charging $5.79 per gallon for regular unleaded. The average price in Florida is $3.67 for unleaded.
The AAA Web site lists the average regular fuel prices for each of the 50 states, showing California with the highest average at $4.20.
The U.S. city average for the price of one gallon of unleaded gasoline, as documented by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics -- from when Barack Obama was elected in November 2008 to today -- is presented below:
2008
November $2.15 Barack Obama defeats John McCain in presidential race
December $1.68 Last full month for President George W. Bush
2009
January $1.78 Barack Obama inaugurated as president (Jan. 20)
February $1.92
March $1.94
April $2.05
May $2.26
June $2.63
July $2.54
August $2.62
September $2.57
October $2.56
November $2.66
December $2.62
2010
January $2.73
February $2.65
March $2.78
April $2.85
May $2.86
June $2.73
July $2.73
August $2.74
September $2.70
October $2.79
November $2.85
December $2.98
2011
January $3.09
February $3.16
March $3.54
April $3.81
May $3.93
June $3.70
July $3.65
August $3.63
September $3.61
October $3.46
November $3.42
December $3.27
2012
January $3.381
February $3.64*
* February 2012 number is from AAA’s National Average Prices.
Michael W. Chapman contributed to this report.