Iranian Elections Give Stubborn Bush An Avenue Toward Diplomacy

[JABBS]

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Bush has been surprisingly mum about the elections, in which allies of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad lost ground among the main political groups, which analysts have said was a setback for the fiery leader and a possible sign of growing frustration among Iranians.

Bush did say at a press conference last week that Iranians "can do better than having somebody who's trying to develop a nuclear weapon that the world believes you shouldn't have."

But why hasn't Bush spoken out more about the elections? Or better yet, why hasn't Bush used the election results as an opportunity to try to reign in Iran through diplomacy?

I'm paraphrasing the late Israeli leader Abba Eban, but Bush, it would seem, "never misses an opportunity to miss an opportunity" when it comes to diplomatic solutions for the Middle East.

[ixion]

1. because when you use diplomacy, you can't sieze the oil fields

I think that probably has much to do with it.

[JABBS]

2. you would think just for p.r. purposes

Bush would do something in that direction. Throw a bone to the U.S. critics, even if you don't have your heart in it.

The problem is that the neocon theorists and the radio ranters are convinced that Bush would be Neville Chamberlain if any diplomatic channels were opened. It's a ridiculous idea, but unfortunately, this is what happens when "stay the course" is a philosophy, facts be damned.