If there’s one lesson President Bush should have learned from his father’s presidency, it’s not to make promises you may not be able to keep.

At a California rally on Saturday, Bush vowed he wouldn’t allow his 10-year, $1.35 trillion tax reduction plan to be reduced, shouting, “Not over my dead body will they raise your taxes” to the crowd.

It’s a bold remark, reminiscent of his father’s famous 1988 statement: “Read my lips - no new taxes.” In the same way, the younger Bush has now backed himself into a corner. Should the need come to raise taxes, Bush’s pledge will become nothing more than a broken promise.

And many say it’s former President Bush’s broken promise that cost him re-election in 1992 - a road his son likely will want to avoid going down.

Bush’s tax cuts have already helped decimate budget surpluses. In addition, no one knows just how big America’s war on terrorism will get, and increased defense spending will add more strain to the economy. The money for these programs has to come from somewhere, and it’s likely that something will have to give.

For now, Bush should focus on working with both Republicans and Democrats to pass a balanced economic stimulus package, which may help put a positive spin on the situation should tax increases come in the future.

Congress left for a recess last month. still in disagreement over the stimulus package. While Bush proposed a combination of corporate tax cuts and extended unemployment benefits, Democrats wanted more for health benefits for the unemployed.

While Bush may not be known for being an eloquent speaker, it will be important for him to choose his words more carefully in the future if he hopes to be more than a one-term president.