The long lines and closed pumps seen across the South this week are a warning: inventories are way too low.
The problem is that Hurricane Gustav and Ike knocked out refinery production that is still not back online, and supply was already barely keeping up with demand. So, the possibility of continued, severe shortages is quite real, especially in the South.
Hmm, and if this should happen in the South right before the election, well, that would be a nightmare for Republicans, as voters tend to blame the incumbent party for such things.