We noted, prior to the midterm election, Democrats’ moderate and conciliatory tax and budget agenda rhetoric. Today’s New York Times features a piece chock full of post-election quotations from incoming 110th Congress committee chairs echoing that rhetoric. The peace-pipe palaver hints at a “grand bargain”: If business groups support the Democrats’ efforts to increase the minimum wage, extend student loans and expand affordable housing programs, [Cong. Barney Frank, D-MA, in line to become House Financial Services chair] said, then the Democrats would support efforts to reduce trade barriers and burdensome regulation. “We are liberal internationalists,” Mr. Frank said. “Businesses know they have an interest in working with us.” Even soon-to-be House Ways and Means chair Charles Rangel is sounding accommodating notes: Rangel said he would seek to avoid a confrontation that would pit Republicans who want to extend tax breaks on large estates and investment income beyond their scheduled expiration in 2010 against Democrats who want to rescind those measures ahead of time. “Why should we be talking now about 2010?” Mr. Rangel said. “I’m 76 years old, and I don’t buy green bananas.”