Ross Douthat and Grover Norquist debated tax policy and the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. The pledge is a promise made by elected officials and political candidates to not raise taxes. Both Mr. Douthat and Mr. Norquist noted the pledge's impact on tax policy, the elections, and the Republican Party. Mr. Norquist in his remarks blamed President George H.W. Bush's 1992 election loss on his decision to raise taxes. Mr. Douthat argued that every tax cut with an increase in spending is in effect a tax increase, using the eight years of the George W. Bush administration as an example.