Biden slams 'Putin's price hike' as high gas prices add to Democrats' woes

America's immediate political future will turn on this critical point: whether drivers stung by record gas prices blame Russian President Vladimir Putin or US President Joe Biden.

A staggering surge in the elevated cost of filling up since Russia invaded Ukraine represents another gut punch for consumers already swamped by a 40-year peak in inflation coming out of the pandemic.

And Biden acknowledged on Tuesday there is more pain to come, telling reporters his executive order banning imports of Russian energy signed Tuesday will heap more pain on gasoline prices ahead of spring break and summer vacation.

"They're going to go up," Biden said as he flew into America's oil patch in Texas, where he was visiting veterans. "Can't do much right now. Russia is responsible." The President's offhand remark is unlikely to soothe Democratic fears of a possible Republican rout in November's midterm elections.