Imposing those stupid price controls was another of Carter's biggest mistakes. That was the main reason for the long gas lines of 1979, since the actual supply shortfall was pretty modest according to energy executives I've known. Such price controls never work. It seems that the Carter people learned nothing from the failures of the Nixon administration (failed wage/price controls of the early '70s.)
And, of course, the main reason for the big price spikes in the first place was disastrous monetary policy. Carter replaced Arthur Burns (up to that time arguably the worst Fed chairman in history) with the even worse Bill Miller. Only in 1979, when he replaced Miller with Volcker, did he begin to get it right, but of course by then it was just too late to save his presidency.
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Originally Posted by atlcomedy
Location of the early primaries is an outdated argument. Candidates are running (& fundraising) nationally from the start. Polling data is better. Candidates pandering to Iowa or NH voters is not the reason any policy exists or doesn't exist.
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I'm not so sure about that. Yes, national coverage and early national polling momentum may render the Iowa caucuses less critical than they were in the past, but I still think they are seen as a strong momentum kickoff for a candidate. To the extent that so many senators and congressman like to think they see a future president when they look in the mirror, they may be eager to pander to the cornbelt vote.