Fancy pants elitist (journalist) Ronnie Ellis, who spends far too much time in the reality-based community, says gas prices have both Democratic and Republican voters in a sour mood.

And he says things are rough for folks running for office:

It’s not a good climate for candidates, especially incumbents and even more especially for Republican incumbents. A recent national poll showed 80 percent of respondents think the country is on the wrong track. Democrats think it’s their year, and it probably is, but in places like Kentucky some worry about running on a ballot headed by Barack Obama. Republicans point to Democratic control of Congress and try to shift the blame to them. But Republican President George Bush – who isn’t on the ballot – is the face most voters see when they feel threatened or angry. That must worry Republican Mitch McConnell and boost the hopes of Democrat Bruce Lunsford as they battle for McConnell’s Senate seat.

McConnell is encouraged by results of the Kentucky Democratic presidential primary in which Obama won only two counties and Lunsford must worry about running on a ticket headed by Obama. Republican John McCain is heavily favored in Kentucky, but if voters are angry with Republicans and uncomfortable with Obama, will they turn that anger instead on McConnell? Will prices at the pump reach $5 before the election? Is a financial crisis looming or will things go badly in Iraq?

These are tough times for those running for office. That’s why many are running scared. If they’re not, they should be.

This may seem silly, but Business First has conducted a poll all week asking readers if rising gas prices and the economic downturn (*cough* recession *cough*) have affected their dining-out habits. A whopping 55% of readers say they dine out less frequently.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

And that’s from the business community in the wealthiest city in the state.

Oh, forgot to include this. Reuters reports that consumers’ mood has hit a 28-year low. The 59.8 rating is the lowest since the June 1980 rating of 58.7. You’re all effed with inflation.