When will Gas Prices go back up?

[mikelewis]

I'm not complaining... really, I'm not. I absolutely love these relatively low gas prices... of course, I'm saying relatively because they're not really as low as they used to be in a previous administration but why get all nostalgic?... In spite of my current love affair with these relatively low gas prices, the Liberal America-Hating, Conspiracy-seeing, been-through-this-many-times-before side of me is just wondering how long after the election a crisis will catapult the fuel prices back to pre-election-countdown levels? Now, I'm not saying that I believe the oil companies would act in any sort of concerted effort to, shall we say, skew the election for their Iraq War Hero buddies in Congress but for shits and giggles sake, how long do you believe they will keep up the pretense of "Oh my God, we bought too much gas and had to lower the price"? At only $2.09 (Current NE Ohio Prices) a gallon, there's no way they'll be able to maintain record breaking profits and knowing the level of devotion the Oil Execs and our Congress has for the share-holders of oil stocks (unless of course they're average citizens who invest in market funds, of course), they must be champing at the bit to ratchet those prices right back up to the comfortable range of just under $3.00 a gallon. So what's your best guess... how long after the election before gas prices jump back up?

[yourout]

1. Now......already starting.

But it will accelerate substantially after Nov 7.

[3waygeek]

2. They started going back up

here in NE Atlanta last week, with an 11 cent increase last Thursday. Very short lived though -- prices have gone most of the way back down since then.

[lancdem]

3. Same here

in southeastern PA.

[StraightDope]

4. I say a month after the election...

They wouldn't dare make it TOO obvious, now would they?

:sarcasm:

[bluestateguy]

5. I'm taking a wait and see attitude

If Democrats win either or both houses, they could drop even more, so as to discourage the Democrats from sending congressional subpoenas to all of the oil company executives. Just an thought.

[ikojo]

6. Hmmmm...it's getting to be Christmas season

and if gas prices go back up to around $3/gallon then people may close their wallets.

[Fovea]

7. Crude and refined products are already rising

and they will hit the market in 2 weeks.

Watch for extreme spikes in heating oil this winter.

[patrick t. cakes]

8. already happening

up 12 cents here overnight.

[TommyO]

9. Up by a few pennies already here

and I don't expect it to stop just because a few Republicans are praising George for bringing gas prices down (yes, on some local message boards with some sycophantic * supporters).

[TheCowsCameHome]

10. Already inching up. They're so eager they can't help themselves

It's too easy.

[Island Blue]

11. After the election but before Thanksgiving. n/t

[rzemanfl]

12. The Monday after Thanksgiving, they'll let the retailers get in their

Black Friday and big weekend first.

[lonestarnot]

13. Election day to add to voter suppression of the poor.