Morning brief, Wednesday April 26

$2.94 in Manassas, Virginia. $3.79 in Needles, California. $2.99 in Omaha, Nebraska. It’s all about the price of gas — now and in November. That’s because there’s an inverse relationship (scroll down) between the price of gas and politicians’ approval ratings. The OPEC embargo in 1973 sank Nixon’s approval rating from the mid-30s to below 30%. The oil shock in the spring of 1979 cost Jimmy Carter 12 points in a matter of weeks. As gas prices rose in October of 1990, George H.W. Bush’s approval rating went from 74% to 53%.

The Bush-Bolten-Rove strategy: act outraged. The Dean-Pelosi-Reid strategy … um, is there one? Note to Dems: Read NYT op-ed first, LA Times piece second, then call Daniel Yergin and arrange private briefing.

Otherwise, Jay Cost’s prediction in the Wall Street Journal today could become reality.

Iraq

Rummy and Condi have the courtesy to pop in for a visit.

Bigger news is that Armed Services Chairman John Warner is deciding whether to call a hearing on Rumsfeld and his disgruntled retirees. Yesterday, retired Marine Corps Lt. Gen. (and FP author) Paul Van Riper became the eighth retired general to call for Rummy’s resignation.

If I was the president, I would have relieved him three years ago.”

David Ignatius tells us what to think of Jawad al-Maliki. The Kurds quietly position themselves for independence. Oh, and here’s some stuff on the Zarqawi video.

Iran

Khamenei talks tuff. Condi fires back. Enough said.

Elsewhere

Maoist rebels promise to continue blockade of Nepal’s capital. Sri Lankan forces strike Tamil Tigers, in response to suicide attack on army headquarters. Remembering Chernobyl.

And … flash … in radical, creative move to help save his presidency, Bush hires a guy from dad’s administration!