Bush and his script writers used verbiage that was intimidating and aggressive throughout all of his tenure. It's a form of bullying, good PR.
I too, have often thought of some of the things he said and just cringed.
He managed to take America and manipulate her into fear and subservience with his grandiose designs and religious self-righteousness. And sloganeering. After awhile, we were all Bush clones.

The "Bring em on" will go down as one of the worst gaffes in history.
And for any of you who somehow felt empowered by his bravado, I hope you have had the time to reflect on the results of that declaration.