Green, Ryan shop for votes at boutique

Reps. Mark Green and Paul Ryan, two Wisconsin Republicans who've been there for Big Oil when it was at the trough for multi-billion dollar tax breaks, now say they want to do something about gasoline prices.

Their not-too-original idea: eliminate so-called "boutique" gasoline blends, long a target of conservatives and Republican radio in southeastern Wisconsin.

They are parroting President Bush when he blamed "boutique" fuels for the higher costs of gas.

But it appears a report commissioned by Bush's White House debunks that theory:

WASHINGTON - "Boutique" gasoline blends to help states meet clean air rules are not a factor in higher prices as President Bush has suggested, says a draft of a study ordered by the White House.

Although often cited as a reason for volatile gasoline prices, so-called "boutique fuels" have not caused unusual distribution problems or contributed to price increases, the report concludes.

So why, a reader asks, do Green and Ryan continue to pursue that?

I assume that's a rhetorical question. Can you say politics?