Vernon Robinson uses Larry Kissell’s stunt against him

If you want to pay $1.80 per gallon for gas — rather than the $3.55, give or take, price point in Raleigh — here’s an option for you. Only trouble: you’ll have to drive to Biscoe.

The Charlotte Observer reports that Vernon Robinson, one of five Republicans vying for the party’s nomination in the 8th Congressional District, is pumping gas today for about half the going rate:

Want gas for $1.80 a gallon? Then head to the Montgomery County town of Biscoe today.

Republican Vernon Robinson, running for Congress in the 8th District, will be pumping 1,000 gallons at that price beginning at 11 a.m. at the E-ZEE gas station at 306 N. Main St.

Biscoe is the home of Democratic U.S. Rep. Larry Kissell. Robinson is one of several Republicans trying to unseat him.

According to Robinson, $1.80 is “the same price gasoline sold for when Larry Kissell and Barack Obama assumed office in January 2009.”

“In the three years that Larry Kissell has been in Congress and Barack Obama has been in the White House the price of gasoline has doubled,” Robinson said. “The reason for these outrageous increases are the failed energy and monetary policies pursued by Larry Kissell and Barack Obama.”

Although Robinson is known for his theatrics, he didn’t invent this campaign stunt. Its architect would be Kissell:

Kissell once used the same gimmick.

When he first ran unsuccessfully in 2006, he sold gas for $1.22 per gallon at a Biscoe station. That was how much it cost when his GOP opponent, then-Rep. Robin Hayes, took office in 1999. Kissell even ran ads showing motorists lined up for the cheap gas.

On Wednesday, Kissell welcomed Robinson to town.

“I welcome Mr. Robinson to Montgomery County and thank him for spending his campaign money trying to help the citizens of our district stretch their hard-earned dollars in this way,” Kissell said in a statement.

“In a political season already stained by rancor, ill will and brutally negative ads, I congratulate Mr. Robinson for taking the high road and spending his money to help working folks out just a little bit.”