Does the US have the right of anticipatory self-defense?

In my OPINION, no. If that were the case there'd have been a nuclear war long before now, probably with Russia, and given that I live in Canada and we happen to be between the two, how about NO.

On a more serious note, no one should have that right because then guns would be pointed left, right, and centre. And every other direction as well.

The short answer is yes. If there is a clear and present danger, yes. Not suspected WMDs, however. That will never happen again. Now we know how costly that can be. But if there is a clear and present danger, we will strike.

Awkward language: anticipatory self-defense. Use plain, unequivocal language. This is not a literary class on Elizbethean poets, damn it!

These "journalist" use puff terminology to try and entrap candidates. Who has ever heard of "The Bush Doctrine." Pure fabrication and nonsense.

Sarah politely asked him to be more specific. Health care doctrine? Economic doctrine? Civil rights doctrine?

Sarah handled it perfectly. The question and follow up question was stilted and downright awkward. If he had chosen to say "policy" and which policy, this would never have been mentioned. Such pompous people are no match for a hockey mom.

Under the current administration, yes. But we've known that and seen its effects for 6 years now, and it certainly doesn't make it right. I want to know why a country can act by this philosophy, but a citizen can not. If I think I'm going to be harmed and I attack first, I can't claim self defense because I'm seen as an aggressor.

"Anticipatory self-defense". Wow, even Orwell couldn't have come up with that one. I'd love to see that one tried in a court of law. "No, your honor, I killed him because I was afraid he might attack me some day." Wow.

Yes. It is called a preemptive strike and part of our military code and the policy of the president since the time of Lincoln.

Geneva Conventions on aggressive war Hitler style.

The same right as all others.

That depends on what the threat is and how credible it is....would you believe Bush again if he says that another country has WMD's

Not in my opinion. The one that throws the first punch is always in the wrong.

Does not everyone? If you knew someone was going to do harm to your children, would you wait for him to do it?