U.S. gasoline prices are becoming a political liability for President Donald Trump and Republican candidates as national averages reached $4.48 a gallon Friday, according to AAA, while a Sept. 21 measure put regular gasoline at $4.44. The figures reflect different reporting dates or measures: the newer report recorded an 18.5-cent weekly increase and a $1.28 annual increase, while AAA reported a 17-cent weekly rise, 40 cents monthly and $1.27 annually. Great Lakes refinery issues drove sharp increases in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Ohio. Trump has described higher fuel costs as an inexpensive or small price to pay for the war with Iran, which he says is necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Voters across Texas, Arizona, Michigan, Virginia and North Carolina expressed bipartisan frustration. A Fox News survey found 61% viewed gas prices as a major household problem and 63% said the administration had worsened the economy, while the Brown University Watson School tracker recorded more than $101 billion in additional fuel expenses since the conflict began.