At a pro-growth tax policy conference today, former President George W. Bush offered some brief remarks on the changes to the US tax code made during his presidency. Those changes, widely known as the Bush tax cuts, were so important to the health of the US economy that President Barack Obama signed a two year extension of them in 2010.

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Despite the seemingly constant barrage of blame the current president has fired at his predecessor, when it came to actual tax policy he followed Mr. Bush's lead. Before signing the bill that extended the cuts, Mr. Obama described it as "a package of tax relief that will protect the middle class, that will grow our economy and will create jobs for the American people."

Now with those cuts about to expire again, President Bush has every right to crow about his signature accomplishment and take credit for legislation that was so effective it transcended partisan gridlock and was embraced by his Democratic successor.

But instead, Mr. Bush told today's conference audience, "I wish they weren't called the Bush tax cuts. If they were called someone else's tax cuts, they'd be less likely to be raised." The fact that Mr. Bush would put lowering taxes to achieve economic growth above his own ego and legacy is not surprising but it is refreshing in today's political climate.

Speaking of presidential egos, some of the children who attended yesterday's White House Easter Egg Hunt were invited to participate in a basketball event. The "Shoot for Strength" activity consisted of the children doing pushups every time President Obama or one of several NBA players scored on the White House court. And as a special added touch of narcissistic flair, the basketballs were imprinted with Mr. Obama's name and likeness.