Bush used the phrase in remarks on February 28, 2001:

instead of sitting by and saying, "Oh, maybe something positive will happen," it will serve as a go-by, it will serve as an opportunity for us to say, "Let's solve the problems early before it's too late."

and again in his October 11, 2001 press conference. I doubt this usage originated here, but have googled the phrase only when combined with "bush".


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/onpolitics/transcripts/bushtext022801.htm, about 40% of the way down.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/terrorism/combating/bush_10-11b.html; final paragraph