Pain At The Pump Will Determine Presidential Election Outcome, Says Sunoco Station Owner

The rising price of fuel at a Sheepshead Bay service station is serving as a national litmus test for the 2012 presidential race, according to the owner of the station.

“Those numbers on the gas price window are better than the Gallup poll,” said Sunoco station owner Jack Nacmias, pointing to the sign that reads $3.99 for a gallon of regular fuel.

“The higher it gets the lower Obama’s numbers will fall by Election Day. I got four voting booths that people vote at with their wallets at every single day here on what I call the corner of Coney Island Ave. and the Strait of Hormuz.”

In an interview with The Daily News’ Denis Hamill, Nacmias — who says he “make[s] less, not more when gas goes up” — tells the columnist that he sells anywhere from 100-120,000 gallons a week and makes 10 to 12 cents a gallon at the station on the corner of Coney Island Avenue and Avenue V.

“From that I pay eight salaries, workman’s comp, insurance, electric, phones, supplies and other overhead. Yes, Iran, politics and the futures markets are killing us. But a lot of gas station owners are telling me they’re getting what’s called ‘short loaded.’ That means delivered only half their usual supply by the oil companies. When the price goes up another dime overnight the oil company delivers the rest.”

Iran, politics and the futures markets… that’s Nacmias’ opinion. What about yours? Who or what do you feel is the reason, or reasons, behind the skyrocketing cost of fuel, here at home, and around the nation?