Tehran Hold 'em

Coming out a of summit with European Union leaders in Vienna, George Bush admonished Iran for their expected reply to the incentive package. Bush was irked by perceived Iranian foot-dragging after Iranian officials said they would respond by mid-August to the comprehensive offer meant to offset Tehran's insistence on its nuclear enrichment program.

It shouldn't take the Iranians that long to analyze what's a reasonable deal.

In other, words, you damnable Iranians, get with the program!

What must surely be the interesting aspect of Bush's visible impatience is how quickly it was made manifest after months intransigence on the part of the White House to even sit down at the table with Tehran. Washington refused direct talks with Iran and even ignored offers of negotiation in May of 2003. But now, now Bush can't wait to get the yapping underway.

Actually, I suspect that the Iranians are playing their hand here for great effect. They know they've got the upper hand right now; the offer has been made and Tehran can sit back while "carefully considering" the options. No doubt they are doing that -- they may have even decided already -- but they are also enjoying watching the Bush White House twist in the wind for awhile. And I expect Bush knows this, which is probably why he snapped at them today.

If I had to guess, I'd say Bush is a terrible poker player.