Gas prices and Bush's approval rating

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Lower gas prices = higher disposable income = higher "happiness" factor -- just as good as adding an arena.

It's important in that US elections are, traditionally, dominated by domestic concerns far more than by international affairs.

Causal, of course not, Presidents influence economics years from now, not current stuff -- but they get the credit or blame and that IS causal for votes.