Obama has the distinct and deft handle on diplomacy.
And he doesn't escalate tensions like some people we know. Namely Republicans. Everywhere in the world, the last administration either hightened tensions or increased dislike for the U.S. All that has changed.

Obama also publicly brought up the possibility of a panel investigating the role of speculators in affecting gas prices. It's amazing how quickly gas prices can fall at the mere SUGGESTION of creating such a panel.

It's like no one remembers yearly cycles. Gas goes up in winter because the companies know people will pay it to be comfortable. Gas goes down in summer because companies know people might not think about taking that extra road trip if the prices are too high.

Until an embargo like the 70's happen again, these fluctuations are just oil companies manipulating the news cycle.

@2 Funny isn't it.

Unfortunately that kind of thing cuts both ways. It would be easy enough for GOP Industry Cronies to monkey wrench oil prices in August juuuust enough to spike prices and foil Obama in November. And there'd be no way to form any sort of commission in time.