Atrios gets all snarky about Palin's inability to recall what "The Bush Doctrine" might in fact constitute. And fair enough. But as a matter of historical record, "The Bush Doctrine" really did have three phases. The first was:
1. "Preemptive" war.
This did not work.
Then The Bush Doctrine became:
2. "Democracy Promotion."
This also did not work.
Finally, it became
3. "Let's not talk about that 'Bush Doctrine' thing anymore."
The reason for (3) is that it became clear that in practice "The Bush Doctrine" means "interminable pointless war waged for no reason by lunatics."
Ironically, it is at precisely this point that the "Bush Doctrine" seamlessly merges into the "McCain Doctrine." So it all works out!
UPDATE: Ouch. When you're a Republican who can't sucker the AP, just give up already....
Sarah Palin sought Thursday to defend her qualifications but struggled with foreign policy, unable to describe President Bush's doctrine of pre-emptive strikes against threatening nations and acknowledging she's never met a foreign head of state. The Republican vice presidential nominee told Charles Gibson of ABC News in her first televised interview since being named to the GOP ticket that "I'm ready" to be president if called upon. However, she sidestepped on whether she had the national security credentials needed to be commander in chief.
MORE. Via.