In the midst of his ethics battle, Congressman Charlie Rangel (D-New York) is apparently so focused on his own troubles that he let the truth slip out about President Barack Obama. Asked about the president's comment that "what [Mr. Rangel] wants is to be able to end his career with dignity," he shot back that it is Mr. Obama's dignity that will need Mr. Rangel's protection.

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Last month the president seemed to suggest the 20 term congressman should retire in light of the 13 ethics violations he faces in the House of Representatives. His exact words: "He's somebody who's at the end of his career. Eighty years old. I'm sure that what he wants is to be able to end his career with dignity. And my hope is that it happens."

When asked about that presidential suggestion during a candidates' forum last night, Mr. Rangel responded by saying, "Frankly, he has not been around long enough to determine what my dignity is. For the next two years, I will be more likely to protect his dignity." (source)

While many in the mainstream media will portray this dust-up between Democrats as an issue of age and experience - the 80 year old congressman versus the 49 year old president - the use of the word dignity by both men is much more telling than their ages. No one doubts Mr. Obama's reference to Mr. Rangel's dignity was meant to nudge the lawmaker into retiring before the weight of his own misdeeds diminish his standing. Could Mr. Rangel's reference to protecting Mr. Obama's dignity portend expected fallout from the president's decisions, actions and general failures in office?

Whether or not Congressman Rangel's political career survives for the next two years, his spontaneous admission gave us a glimpse of what those years may be like for President Obama and the supporters left trying to protect his dignity.