We need to be a bit smarter about this whole thing.
Sarah Palin did not ask Charlie for clarification because she did not know. She knew that the Bush doctrine is a loaded term. She shrewdly asked Charlie to unpack it. He of course would not because he wants to use the varied expectations of the term against Palin.
She proceeded with a differentiated answer that defended the principals of the policy without adhering to its specifics. That maintains the campaign image of change while not severely undermining the President.
It was quite shrewd on her part. The obvious game plan of Gibson and ABC was to cast her as a warmonger.
I think he failed to get that done effectively.
Absolutely correct (in my, somewhat biased, opinion).