New York Observer:

It’s three weeks until Election Day and Charlie Rangel is already acting like he’s in charge.

With the Democrats poised to take over the House in November—putting the 76-year-old dean of the New York Congressional delegation on the verge of landing the most potent and coveted job of his career—Mr. Rangel’s recent public appearances have taken on the look and feel of a victory tour.

“When I become chairman of the Ways and Means Committee,” he said Thursday night in front of the Hudson River School paintings at the New-York Historical Society, “we will have power over the entire tax system, Social Security system, pension system, Medicare and all international trade.”

For some Republicans—most notably President George W. Bush—the thought of that broad mandate falling into the bejeweled hands of Mr. Rangel is a nightmare. The Republicans have been sharing their dark vision with anyone who will listen, using the prospect of a Rangel chairmanship to scare up support for their own candidates. (“It is a bad thing,” said Republican National Committee spokesman Aaron McLear. “Taxes across the board will be raised.”)

George W. Bush may not be happy with the prospect of a Chairman Rangle, but the president certainly does little to help prevent that outcome with his recent mystifying talk of a situation in Iraq that is comparable to the Tet offensive in Vietnam. Not only was the analogy inappropriate, but it hurts Republicans and helps Democrats at a most critical moment in the midterm campaign. I cannot imagine what the president was thinking in making such a comment to George Stephanopoulos of ABC news. Mr. Bush's comments may very well increase the possibility of the Chairman Rangel that he and his administration so fear.