Poll: Public Bracing for $4 Gasoline By July

I don't know who the GOP nominee for President is going to be in 2012, but I have a hunch "Drill, Baby, Drill!" will resonate with a public that resigning itself to $4/gallon gasoline by this summer.

Can you imagine what the price at the pump might be by summer 2012? $5? $6?

Do I hear $7?

Forget Dick Cheney and Big Oil. We now know who the real price gouger is.

Nearly nine-out-of-10 Americans say they are paying more for gas than they were last summer and expect to pay even more six months from now. Most say $4-a-gallon gas is likely by July 1.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 87% of Adults say they are paying more for gas than they were six months ago. At the end of August, just 40% said the same. Only one percent (1%) say they are paying less for gas now, while nine percent (9%) say they’re spending about the same amount.

The number of adults who expect gas prices to increase even more has reached its highest level since March of last year. Eighty-seven percent (87%) say it is at least somewhat likely they will be paying more for gas in six months, including an overwhelming 75% who say it is Very Likely. Just seven percent (7%) do not expect to spend more for gas in six months’ time.

Seventy percent (70%) say it’s also at least somewhat likely that gas prices will rise above $4-a-gallon by July 1, with 40% who believe it is Very Likely. Twenty-four percent (24%) say it’s not very or not at all likely. A year ago, Americans were evenly divided over whether gas would increase to over $4-a-gallon.

h/t: Weasel Zippers. Cross-posted.