One can scarcely imagine how the U.S. in its handling of the Egyptian revolution could look more inept and less effective, says the Washington Post's Jennifer Rubin.

"If the stakes were not so high the last few weeks would be material for high farce. (And indeed, a recounting of events by a faux "Joe Biden" does just that.)

"Initial caution was followed by insistence that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak transition now. That, in turn, morphed into agreement to a very gradual transition. But Mubarak has let it be known he's taking no direction from anyone and going nowhere, at least not now.

"Early in the day Obama seemed optimistic that all was on track, and comments from CIA director Leon Panetta seemed to indicate Mubarak was on his way out. But, once again, the administration was blindsided by Mubarak."

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