President Bush’s approval rating, a record low, in a new American Research Group poll. His approval is 33 percent in a new Rasmussen poll, another record low.

But I don’t want to be pessimistic about record lows, so here’s a record high: gas prices. 

Gas prices hit record levels in the Triad on Tuesday, surging past previous highs set in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

The average price for a gallon of unleaded jumped to $3.134 , an increase of nearly three cents from Monday, AAA Carolinas reported.

The previous high, $3.129 , had been set Sept. 6, 2005.

The national average jumped a penny Tuesday, reaching $3.209, also a record.

But you knew that didn’t you?