Primaries
At the Pump in Elizabeth City
By Krissah Williams
ELIZABETH CITY, N.C.-- Robert Nall mumbled a few curse words as he drove into the Citgo on Highway 17 to fill up his gas tank. Then he stood for 10 seconds at the pump, staring icily at the prices: regular $3.59, mid-range $3.72, super $3.84.
"I don't know who to blame -- the government or the oil companies," said Nall, 33, as the dollars trickled into the tank of his two door Hyundai. "I don't know what to believe. It's like the politicians are trying to sell something."
That much is true. In the days before today's primaries here and in Indiana, Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have been pitching their plans to deal with gas prices to voters. It's one of the few issues on which they disagree: Clinton is offering a federal gas tax holiday as a summer reprieve. She has said a tax on oil companies would make up for the lost federal revenue. Obama calls the three month holiday "a gimmick" that won't fix the problem.
Nall, who recently retired from the military and is working at Wal-Mart while studying applied science at the College of Albemarle, agrees with Obama on the gas tax holiday.
"The oil companies will probably raise prices so it's not worth it," he said.
Still, he voted for Clinton because the tax holiday is one of the few issues he disagrees with her on. "I got about as much faith in her as I do anyone else, and I like her views on health care," Nall said. "I think her experience will help us and it won't hurt that she's got Bill."
Bill Clinton, who stopped at Elizabeth City State University yesterday, dominated local news coverage with his promise that his wife would turn the country around. The headlines in the local Daily Advance: "Bill Clinton still a star for many", "Clinton: Wife can still win."
Nall put 8.057 gallons in his tank. It cost him $29.
Martha Liverman, 43, pulled the yellow school bus she drives for the local Head Start program into the next stall. High gas prices have "really killed our budget. We can't even get our buses fixed in a timely manner like we used to," she said.
She's voting for Obama today because she trusts him and "I just don't think that a woman should be the head of a country."
Gas prices aside, she refused to even consider a vote for Clinton. Liverman put 10 gallons of diesel in the bus. Price: $40.90.
Seth Carter, 45, pulled up in his shiny black Ford-250 wearing a John Deere cap. "This country is a mess, and its affecting everybody," he said. "It all rolls down hill."
His C&W Landscape has had to raise prices 3 to 5 percent for cutting grass and trimming hedges to remain profitable with fuel continuing to creep up. "I hate to do it but I've got to run a business," he said. "I've never seen anything like this."
With the race being so close, it's a tough subject around here and Carter will only say he voted early and for a Democrat. Plenty of folks here are divided, down to Gov. Mike Easley stumping for Clinton and Lt. Governor Beverly Perdue stumping for Obama.
Carter put 15 gallons of diesel fuel in his truck. Price: $61.35.
"I don't go anywhere out of the way," said Nathaniel Ralph, Jr., 22, a few minutes after stepping out of his '92 Volvo station wagon. He was already wearing his "I Voted" sticker on his way to his work-study job on campus at Elizabeth City State University.
After being labeled as an out-of-touch elitist in the Pennsylvania primary, Obama has been pushing his life story on the stump again. That's what drew Ralph, who got his sticker after voting for the Illinois senator.
"Obama is in touch with the people. He has a young family," he said. "He had a single mother."
When Ralph heard Obama call the gas tax holiday "politics as usual," he agreed.
"I'm like, that's kind of a tactic in a sense," he said. "I'd have to see it bring down prices before I would believe it."
Ralph now has his commute from the village of Belvedere into Elizabeth City down to a science, commuting only three days a week to classes at Elizabeth City State University. The rest of the week he stays close to home.
He stopped by the Hop In at the Citgo to get a soda but skipped filling up his tank, which is down to about a quarter full. He's conserving that until Friday when he plans to fill up.
"I'll drive into Virginia. It's cheaper there," he said.
Posted at 12:53 PM ET on May 6, 2008
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Posted by: | May 7, 2008 1:41 PM
Exit polls have Obama winning NC:
Posted by: | May 6, 2008 5:49 PM
Hillary he?? So you choose for another 8 years of bush !!
Posted by: jwh | May 6, 2008 5:13 PM
Just look at the facts. What did she achieve during her time as senator. Nothing, I can think of. During his time as senator, he did something usefull. I would say give him an oportunity to do so more.
My advice is: "Stop talkin bulls_hit and just look at the facts", and then do what you have to do, cast the right vote.
Posted by: jwh | May 6, 2008 5:10 PM
Hillary wins in Indiana and North Carolina
Posted by: | May 6, 2008 5:05 PM
I'm wondering why the candidates and the media are focusing attention on the Mortgage/Home crisis and NO candidate has said what they would do about getting jobs back to the people. Working people pay taxes, keep their homes, buy goods, takes vacations, bolstering the economy. A "Lame Duck" president says he knows the pain Americans are feeling. His Legacy should be "Clueless in D.C. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: puzzled11 | May 6, 2008 4:58 PM
Obama can hire Dick Morris for advice....lol
Hillary has one for free...Bill Clinton....
Who would you want?
Posted by: | May 6, 2008 4:52 PM
Here are the reasons to vote for Mrs Clinton
1)She is the wife of an ex-president
2)She knows how to work the democracy. Democracy is "a special curse with the ignorant to elect the opportunist".
3)She knows how to project a self image that has nothing to do with what is the actual self. She doesnt have any real foreign policy or defence experience but over 60% believe she is experienced. (sniper fire included)
Go Hillary. Long live democracy
Posted by: JackHass | May 6, 2008 4:41 PM
voting for Obama is like ordering a Rolex from China online...not much chance you'll get a real one but maybe
Posted by: | May 6, 2008 4:18 PM
While McCain has condemned the ad as not having a place in the political discourse Hillary Clinton, great champion for civil rights that she claims to be, has declined to comment on the ad and its appropriateness or inappropriateness in the political arena.
It turns out that Hillary will not fight against incivility and racial stigmatizing if it will benefit her on Election Day. Is this a surprise
2. snopes.com: Dick Morris' '08 Play-by-Play Analysis!
E-mail offers 'play-by-play analysis' of Hillary Clinton.
...Politics --> Clintons --> Play-by-Play Analysis Play-by-Play Analysis Claim: E-mail offers "play-by-play analysis" of Hillary Clinton. Example:...
...BILL CLINTON LEAVES TRUTH OUT OF HILLARY'S BIOGRAPHY Go to www.hillaryclinton.com and check out Bill Clinton's syrupy five minute ad for Hillary. He...
...The facts are: Hillary's main extra-curricular activity in law school was helping the Black Panthers, on trial in Connecticut for torturing and killing a...
Sun, 04 May 2008 11:21:22 GMT http://www.snopes.com/politics/clintons/playbyplay.asp
STOP THE DRAMA VOTE OBAMA
Posted by: Katerina Deligiannis | May 6, 2008 4:01 PM
now the people starving for the want of a cup of grain and we talking about using it for gas..that'll go good with the world...shame on you
Posted by: | May 6, 2008 4:00 PM
OPEC and Chavez sending America a warning...quit the waste of the worlds oil on you gas guzzlers..suvs....hummers..ect
Posted by: | May 6, 2008 3:55 PM
I disagree with a summer reprieve of the Fed Taxes. First and formost the pumps show more than a $.26 increase since this announcement was made. What kind of a real benefit will we see that can make a dent in the existing cost of fuel at the pumps.
Does anyone have any knowledge about the BAKKEN oil discovery in Montana, North Dakota, and Canada? Now that discovery is what I call RELIEF. It is suppose to be the largest oil discovery in US History, even larger than the Saudi's largest oil field. According to what I have read this BAKKEN oil field is the cleanest type of sweet crude ever found,and as a result of this type of crude will be muh easier to proess. It will produce sufficient fuel to last this country over 40 years without vertually any need of oil from the middle east. The estimates are about 500 Billion Barrels, Additionally the cost per barrel will be around an unbelieveable $16.00 a barrel. This discovery will take all the bitterness from everyone's mind and give the American people a huge relief from spending large amounts of their income for fuel.
My question to those who are running for the highest most important job of this Country should have some knowledge about the BAKKEN. Don't you think this information is worthy enough to be conerned about?? If they do why don't they speak of this to the American People so we an actually believe something they say for a change???
Another question I have is if the BAKKEN IS REAL and I believe it is, when will it go on line, and when will we see some benefits and relief at the pumps????? This information is what the voters need to hear. If Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John McCain have their heads in the sand of this important information, they should get their staff out and find out the answers to these and many other questions. The war in Iraq is formost important than the fuel challenge, and rightfully so. The war is costing us lives, and other resources, however the fuel crisis is getting to the point where it will also could cost us lives as everything inluding food rises beyond the capability of the average wage earner. Poverty and starvation is getting out of control world wide, with little relief in view. When are we really going to show the world that we are sincere and we really do are about mankind?? That is why the information about the BAKKEN discovery would be a tremendous uplift of morale and peace of mind for All Americans, that real relief is in process and soon will be a reality.
Posted by: Butchrgt | May 6, 2008 2:43 PM
The gas price problem comes from years of unnecessarily low interest rates in the early half of the decade, taxes on the wealthy that were too low, the Iraq war and earmarks. Oil companies failed to add refinery space which added to the problem and there has been the use of gas guzzling SUVs that have made the problem still worse.
We will need aggressive unifying leadership and a change in our economy to a less financial industry based economy to reverse this. That will mean temporary dislocations in the economy which means pain for some. Unfortunately some of the solutions to the problem will be as painful as the problem of high gas prices. As the situation gets worse people may become more receptive. This is a problem that will be better handled by Obama because he will give us the information that is needed to deal with this situation.
One thing is for sure, decreasing credit card debt now will help deal with inflated oil prices later. Income tax rebates going to pay off credit card debt is a wise move now. So is voting for Obama. We need to prepare for the future for there are no quick fixes.
Posted by: Ron M | May 6, 2008 2:42 PM
OH....Jake D the troll is here......
Clinton is consistently demeaning, belittling, snide, distorting and even lying. Her campaign is built upon appealing to the lowest common denominator. Hillary supported NAFTA, the war in Iraq, and now she wants to cut gas tax for a few months even after economist say it won't help most Americans.
"More Than 200 Economists Denounce Clinton, McCain Gas-Tax Plans"
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aTzCmqCNyLho&refer=home
"Columbia University economist Joseph Stiglitz, former Congressional Budget Office Director Alice Rivlin and 2007 Nobel winner Roger Myerson are among those who signed the letter calling proposals to temporarily lift the tax a bad idea."
Hillary might talk a good game but she makes the wrong decisions....I want a really, really smart person in the White House......so Obama is who I support.
I hope Obama wins in Indy and in NC, then we can put this mess to rest and get on with what matters like the war in Iraq and our energy problems.....also I like Obama's deportment...and I think that it is important for bringing people together....which is what America needs right now....
My hopes and dreams of a united country are with Barack Obama.
Posted by: ApostasyUSA | May 6, 2008 2:05 PM
The popular vote? How, pray tell, do you plan to count that? You know that FOUR states have no voter totals at all, right?
And no, I don't mean Florida and Michigan. They're not a part of the four I'm talking about.
Or we could, you know, count delegates. Just because they actually count for the nomination.
Posted by: Joe | May 6, 2008 2:00 PM
You fail at reading comprehension as usual, JakeD. It's because she disagrees with Clinton on few issues that she's voting for Clinton. But I agree that it's badly worded.
Anyhow, things are looking good for Obama. I loved how Hillary compared herself to the horse Eight Belles. The only filly in that race, it came in second place to Big Brown, broke both its legs after the race because it pushed too hard, and was put to sleep right there on the track.
I just hope it doesn't mean that she gets run over or something at the race she's at today...
Posted by: Joe | May 6, 2008 1:55 PM
JakeD wrote "... hopefully, Hillary can keep the combined vote total LESS than 121,667 so she can still claim the popular vote lead." The operative word here is "claim." She can "claim" the popular vote lead all she wants -- or that the popular vote is a valid metric, for that matter -- but she doesn't have it and she's not getting it.
Posted by: jac13 | May 6, 2008 1:53 PM
Jake - the operative word in the sentence is "few." The implication is that because he only disagrees with her on a few issues (as opposed to a lot), he voted for her. I think the sentence is fine.
Posted by: ManUnitdFan | May 6, 2008 1:26 PM
88
"I'M TELLING YOU, LISTEN TO ME, YOU WILL ONLY SAVE $28 THIS SUMMER. ECONOMISTS THAT WILL BENEFIT FROM MY PRESIDENCY HAVE TOLD ME SO. SO I WANT TO TELL YOU THE SAME. LISTEN TO ME, AND IT'LL BE ALRIGHT!
this ad sponsored by joe andrew:
superdelegate and homosexual, and advocate of elitist, activist judges that will redefine homosexual marriage laws, and shove them down your throat.
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Posted by: obama spin doctors | May 6, 2008 1:19 PM
Did you mean "even though"?
I doubt that Barack HUSSEIN Obama wins Indiana today (and, it doesn't seem like she closed the gap enough in NC but, hopefully, Hillary can keep the combined vote total LESS than 121,667 so she can still claim the popular vote lead):
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/democratic_vote_count.html
Posted by: JakeD | May 6, 2008 1:08 PM
Robert Nall "voted for Clinton BECAUSE the tax holiday is one of the few issues he disagrees with her on"? (Emphasis Added)
Posted by: JakeD | May 6, 2008 1:06 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
This is a great solution!
George Carlin's Solution to Save Gasoline
Bush wants us to cut the amount of gas we use.
The best way to stop using so much gas is to deport 11 million illegal immigrants!
That would be 11 million less people using our gas. The price of gas would come down.....
Bring our troops home from Iraq to guard the Border.
When they catch an illegal immigrant crossing the border, hand him a canteen, rifle and some ammo and ship him to Iraq.
Tell him if he wants to come to America then he must serve a tour in the military.
Give him a soldier's pay while he's there and tax him on it.
After his tour, he will be allowed to become a citizen since he defended this country.
He will also be registered to be taxed and be a legal patriot.
This option will probably deter illegal immigration and provide a solution for the troops in Iraq and the aliens trying to make a better life for themselves.
If they refuse to serve, ship them to Iraq anyway, without the canteen, rifle or ammo.
Problem solved.
e-mail being passed around