Romney tells Obama to fire 'gas hike' advisers

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. (AP) - Mitt Romney is telling President Barack Obama to fire his top energy advisers.

The Republican primary front-runner is pointing specifically at Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Lisa Jackson, the Environmental Protection Agency administrator.

Romney calls them Obama's "gas hike trio" and is accusing them of "working like crazy" to raise gas prices.

Republicans are blaming Obama for the higher gas prices. Newt Gingrich has promised to establish $2.50-a-gallon gasoline if elected.

Energy prices are tied to some forces outside a president's control, including global demand, speculation, and Middle East conflicts.

But Romney said the Obama advisers should either resign or be fired.

He spoke at a campaign stop Saturday evening in Illinois ahead of Tuesday's high-stakes primary.