Have you noticed?

Have you noticed that since gasoline prices became the headline that all those stories out of the administration about attacking Iran have, more or less, just disappeared? All those veiled threats turned off like a faucet starting Monday morning? (Or maybe it was Al-Maliki named Iraqi PM?)

The Iranians still want to play, but it seems the Bush administration finally realized they were playing a losing game. I mean, El Baradei is due to make his report to the UN on Friday and suddenly the US has taken all the air out of their rhetoric.

Maybe it was the Russians refusing even sanctions, or something said by Hu on his visit, or the knowledge that El Baradei is going to report Iran in compliance, but something suddenly, radically changed.

I guess point 4 of Josh Bolten's 5-point "recovery plan" for the administration must not be viewed as working very well.

ALSO: Maybe Bush's announcement of an investigation into oil price gouging might be a preemptive political move with Exxon and Chevron due to report profits this week. That should be fun.