Rep. Tim Scott takes turn pumping fuel at West Ashley Exxon

U.S. Rep. Tim Scott’s first job as a 13 year old was pumping gas and washing windshields, and he went back to work today at a West Ashley gas station doing just that.

Only this time, Scott was after more than a little spending money. The South Carolina Republican hoped to earn points with constituents upset about high gas prices and Washington’s inability to solve problems.

From most appearances, he did that, although many visitors wanted to talk instead about reforming public education, curbing the influence of teachers unions and improving care for the nation’s veterans.

Scott noted gas prices have more than doubled in the last few years and said the United States must do more to tap its extensive reserves of coal, oil and natural gas. “This is not a global issue to most people. This is an issue that hits their pocketbooks, their wallets and their families,” he said.

Even some of his supporters, such as Bob Seidler of West Ashley, were skeptical that Washington can do much to change that. “The cost of gas is because of global demand,” he said. “It just isn’t a political issue.”

Read more in tomorrow’s Post and Courier.