Washington, Sep 12 : Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, in her first interview since becoming the Republican vice-presidential candidate, had no knowledge about the Bush Doctrine ans was visibly stumbled when asked about it.

Speaking at length with ABC’s Charles Gibson, Palin was most visibly stumbled when she was asked by if she agreed with the Bush Doctrine. Palin did not seem to know what he was talking about.

Gibson, sounding like an impatient teacher, informed her that it meant the right of “anticipatory self-defence.”

Palin was clearly caught off guard when Gibson asked, “Do you agree with the Bush Doctrine?” Seeking direction, and perhaps time to formulate answer, Palin said, “In what respect, Charlie?”

Initially unwilling to define the doctrine, Gibson said, “What do you interpret it to be?”

Palin asked, “His world view?”

Gibson said, “No, the Bush Doctrine, enunciated September 2002, before the Iraq war.”

Palin used the interview to reinforce the muscular foreign policy of McCain, saying she would not second-guess any military action Israel deems necessary to protect itself, warning Russia away from aggression against its neighbours and generally supporting President Bush’s approach to combating terrorism.

But she also put some distance between the Bush Administration and the McCain team. “There have been blunders along the way,” she said.

Palin said the United States could not allow Iran to have nuclear weapons. As Americans, she said, “We do not have to stand for that.” She advocated a new round of sanctions. (ANI)