McCrory defends gas shortage response in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE -- Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory is defending how he's handled the gasoline shortage in his city. The Republican candidate for governor says he believes he made the right decision not to order rationing while stations have run out of gas or customers wait in lines. The Charlotte Observer reported Wednesday that McCrory's office had received more than 100 e-mails about the problem, many of them questioning whether he's done enough. McCrory has asked drivers to conserve and avoid topping off tanks. The shortages following Hurricane Ike have been caused in part by the slow movement of gasoline up the Gulf Coast pipeline. State law allow allows mayors to restrict gasoline sales during a state of emergency. (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)