Last week, the lead story in one newspaper said, ‘Gasoline prices are on the rise and Republicans are licking their chops.’ That’s a quote. That was the lead. ‘Licking their chops.’ Only in politics do people root for bad news, do they greet bad news so enthusiastically. You pay more; they’re licking their chops.

— President Barack Obama, denouncing Republican attempts to turn gas prices into a bludgeon they can use against his administration on the campaign trail.