REPUBLICAN DEBATE Here are the particulars of tonight's Republican presidential candidates debate. PARTICIPANTS: Texas Gov. George W. Bush, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, Steve Forbes, Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, Alan Keyes and Gary Bauer TIME: 7-8 p.m. PLACE: Johnson Theatren Paul Creative Arts Center, the University of New Hampshire MODERATOR: NBC's Tim Russert SPONSORS: New England Cable News, Manchester Union Leader, New Hampshire Public Television. PANEL: Alison King of New England Cable News, John DiStaso of The Union Leader, Jenny Attiyeh of New Hampshire Public Television. MORE COVERAGE Bush, McCain dominate GOP debate In N.H. living room, few minds made up Excerpts cast religion, taxes in spotlight Contenders romp in a colloquial exchange Truth Squad: Confusion over surplus and taxes in GOP debate Here we go again: A Bush pledges 'no new taxes'

A no-tax pledge helped President Bush get there, but he broke it and lost the next election. And keeping a vow to cut taxes would be even more difficult; presidents can't do that without Congress.

The 1988 campaign promise by the elder Bush was that he would veto a tax increase should the Democratic Congress try to impose one. "Read my lips: No new taxes," he pledged to tell them.

Gov. Bush's version of the family political pledge, delivered Thursday night:

"This is not only no new taxes, this is tax cuts, so help me God."

Bush made his vow in debate with his five rivals for the Republican presidential nomination. He was promoting his $483 billion, five-year tax cut proposal. "I'm governor of a state that -- I took the same message to our people," Bush said. "I've worked with Democrats and Republicans alike to cut the taxes ... in Texas, twice."

But he couldn't get all he proposed in Texas. And his debate rivals said Bush also proposed increasing sales and other taxes as part of a package with property tax reductions.

And no president can guarantee a tax cut. Congress decides that.

So the Bush line could echo past the campaign for the Republican presidential nomination. "If anybody knows the risk of making that pledge, Governor Bush does," said Steve Duprey, the New Hampshire Republican chairman.

He watched the no-tax pledge boost Bush Sr.'s campaign in 1988. But as president, Bush reneged. In 1990, he said there would have to be "tax revenue increases" as part of a deal with Congress to reduce the federal budget deficit.

Conservatives never let him forget it. During his losing campaign for re-election, the elder Bush said breaking the tax commitment was his worst mistake.

Bush and rival Sen. John McCain bickered over their tax plans. McCain said Bush's proposal would spend the entire surplus.

"No it doesn't," retorted the Texas governor.

"Yes it does," shot back McCain.

On taxes, Social Security and the rest of the campaign agenda, the latest GOP debate between Bush, McCain, Steve Forbes, Gary Bauer, Sen. Orrin Hatch and Alan Keyes was much like the three they'd had before.

Bush skipped three earlier debates.

"George, since you joined us, it's gotten a lot more nasty, I'll tell you," said Hatch.