Bush Doctrine

The Bush Doctrine is a term coined in 2001, usually to ascribe the the concept of preventive war to George W. Bush.

Origins of the term

Time Magazine published a story on Feb 2001, 2001, entitled "The Bush doctrine" by Charles Krauthammer, in which he described it as " Its motto is, We build to suit--ourselves. "

The term went on to become widely understood, both on the political Left and on the Right.

In 2002, Steven R. Weisman asserted in a New York Times op./ed. piece defined the Bush Doctrine as that which holds those who harbor terrorists are accountable for terrorism.

Disagreement seems to exist however about the exact origins of the term. In January 2008, a Boston Globe article referred to the "Bush Doctrine" being born on Sept 20th, 2001, when President Bush uttered the words "You are either with us, or against us".

VP nominee Sara Palin unaware of the term in 2008

In a Sept. 11th 2008 ABC television interview with Charlie Gibson, Republican Vice-Presidential nominee Sarah Palin seemed unaware of the term when she was asked, "Do you agree with the Bush Doctrine." Governor Palin responded, "In what respect, Charlie?" Charlie Gibson answered, "well, what do you interpret it to be?" Palin went on to enumerate how she agreed with Bush's attempts to combat Islamic extremists and terrorism, while admitting that some mistakes had been made. Gibson then elaborated what he meant by the Bush Doctrine, saying "The Bush Doctrine, as I understand it, is that we have the right of anticipatory self-defense. We have the right to a preemptive strike against any country that we think is going to attack us."