Like father, like son?

At their national convention, Republicans were short on specifics on how to pay for an economic agenda in a second Bush administration. One reason is that President Bush could end up having to back a tax increase, just as his father did.

But nobody wanted to spoil the Madison Square Garden party by mentioning such unpleasantries. After all, Republicans are insisting that Democrat John Kerry is the candidate who will increase taxes.

"To those critics who are so pessimistic about our economy, I say: 'Don't be economic girlie men!'" said California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, reprising a phrase he used to scold state Democratic legislators.

That drew hearty laughter from the convention audience. Yet there is little humor to be had from a close look at budget realities.

"Taxes are going up next year no matter who wins the presidency in November," concluded conservative economist Bruce Bartlett, who advised both Ronald Reagan and the first President Bush.

"It's out of the hands of politicians," Bartlett said.

As a famous man once said, read my lips: the rest is here.

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