he Department of Energy predicted today that the price of a gallon of gas will drop to $1.39 in September, from a current national average of about $1.52 (for regular unleaded). That's still higher than last summer's average of $1.17 per gallon, but an improvement nonetheless — and three times as big as repealing the Clinton administration's 1993 gas-tax hike of 4.3 cents per gallon. You can bet Vice President Gore will take full credit for the reduced cost, citing energy secretary Bill Richardson's recent negotiations with OPEC countries. He'll say: "What would you rather have, an administration with the foreign-policy know-how to deal with OPEC, or one that responds with some opportunistic tax cut that isn't even worth a nickel per gallon?"

There's no guarantee the administration is correct about the cost of gas. Just four weeks ago, it said summer gas prices would hover around $1.56 per gallon. If the GOP wants to repeal the Clinton-Gore gas-tax hike, fine. But the only sure way gas prices work to Republicans' advantage this fall is if they remain at current levels or move upward.

The Bad Old Days
Al Gore must think he's running against Dan Quayle. In a speech to union supporters last night, he lit into what he called "the Bush-Quayle deficits, the Bush-Quayle recession, the Bush-Quayle assault on working families." Added Gore: "Don't let anybody ever forget what the contrast has been these last seven years compared to the Bush-Quayle years." Ah yes, who could forget those dark, dark times?

Talking Points
House Minority Whip David Bonior, in today's Roll Call, comparing the WTO riots in Seattle to upcoming meetings in Washington: "Seattle was a great success. We hope we will see a repeat performance." Replies House Majority Leader Dick Armey: "Rioting, looting, and assault shouldn't be anyone's definition of success."