Gingrich pledges $2.50 gas, Obama: 'it's easy to make phony
promises'      • close     President Barack Obama waves from Air
Force One upon arrival at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. on Friday,
Feb. 24.     View Caption   Obama sought to deflect growing
Republican attacks over rising prices at the pump, blaming
recent increases on a mix of factors beyond his control,
including tensions with Iran, hot demand from ChinaIndia and
other emerging economies, and Wall Street speculators taking
advantage of the uncertainty.   Recommended: World's cheapest
gas: Top 10 countries  In a visit to the University of
Miami less than nine months before the presidential election in
which he will seek a second term, Obama offered a modest series
of proposals aimed at diversifying fuel supplies and increasing
energy efficiency.    Obama's speech was part of a broader White
House strategy to try to regain the upper hand in the debate and
deflect blame, but the president's arguments may fall on deaf
ears if gas prices continue to rise