prices even arrives. is this the answer? here's david kerley. >> reporter: for the first time since middle east fighting started quickly pushing up gas prices, the president is thinking about tapping into the country's oil reserves. >> the issue of the reserves is one we're considering. it is something that only is done -- has been done in very rare occasions. >> reporter: along the gulf coast is the nation's oil piggy bank. 727 million barrels stored in underground salt domes, there to protect against a sudden cutoff of supply. tonight, there is no shortage of oil or gas, just uncertainty about the future. so, is it the right time to tap into the reserve? >> it's a good idea to signal the readiness to use it, but the condition for using it are not there yet. >> reporter: but with the economy just starting to rebound, then drivers, also known as voters, complaining about gas prices, there may be plenty of political pressure. so, are we using this now as a political football, in essence?