Democrats try to seize initiative on oil spill

By LARRY MARGASAK Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats are trying to prevent a political disaster along with the environmental one taking place in the Gulf of Mexico as they try to convince Americans frustrated by the oil spill that BP and Republican coziness with the oil industry are to blame.

Four Democratic-controlled committees are holding hearings Wednesday on oil-spill-related issues as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sets a strict deadline for new oil spill legislation.

A Washington Post poll shows 48 percent of those surveyed now say Obama does not understand the problems of people like them, the highest percentage of his presidency.

Obama plans a two-day visit to the Gulf Coast next week, his fourth since the spill began.