Gingrich hopes gas price populism will fuel comeback

With oil prices edging to unseasonably high levels and Americans fretting about the price at the pump, Newt Gingrich is hoping some gas-price populism could provide the spark his fading campaign needs to regain momentum in the Republican presidential race.

The Gingrich campaign launched a Facebook petition Thursday urging supporters to demand President Obama "act immediately to lower gasoline, diesel, and other energy prices" by authorizing the Keystone XL pipeline and offshore drilling.

“The Obama administration’s ideological refusal to expand American energy production continues to block the development of resources which could lower gasoline prices dramatically,” Gingrich said in a statement. “As we saw most recently with the administration’s rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline, the president is more interested in playing favorites with environmental extremists rather than embracing the ‘all-of-the-above’ strategy that could achieve energy independence and help all Americans now.”

With oil prices edging above $100 per barrel, the former Speaker hopes his message — and an attack toward President Obama, rather than further mudslinging with front-runner Mitt Romney — could resonate across soon-to-vote primary states.

“$2.50 a gallon gas is not a dream. It’s achievable with the right policies, and that starts with a president who will stop bowing and start drilling,” Gingrich said. “If we take the right steps, we can quickly and dramatically reduce the price of gas by tapping America’s incredible oil and gas resources to increase supply.”

But the issue of lower gas prices is particularly pertinent in Michigan — where lower fuel costs typically engender better car sales — and North Dakota, which has seen booming growth in its oil industry. Michigan votes Feb. 28, while North Dakota is scheduled to vote as part of the March 6 Super Tuesday contests.

Already more than 280,000 Facebook users have "liked" Gingrich's energy petition, and more than 50,000 have discussed the proposal on the social network.

Gingrich is not the only Republican candidate to so farplace a renewed emphasis on energy production. Rick Santorum toured an oil field in North Dakota Wednesday and told supporters he would support lessening regulations on energy companies.

"You are producing a very, very, very important resource to our country that is needed and will be needed even more in the future. As president of the United States, I'll have your back," Santorum said, according to CBS News.

Santorum, too, hit Obama for delaying construction on the Keystone XL oil pipeline.

"We have a president who in the energy sector of our economy is doing everything possible to crush energy production in this country," Santorum said.

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