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A '''neoconservative''' (colloquially, ''neocon'') is a former [[liberal]] who calls himself a [[conservative]], or a former [[conservative]] who caters to political views of the [[media]].  Neoconservatives favor [[globalism]], a bigger government, and so-called "[[free trade]]"; neocons downplay religious values and often disagree with [[conservatives]] on key social issues like [[abortion]] and [[homosexuality]].  Neoconservatives oppose appointing [[Supreme Court]] Justices who would overturn ''[[Roe v. Wade]]''.  Neoconservatives place their highest domestic priority on opposing [[affirmative action]] while silently opposing social conservatives on moral issues.  On foreign policy, neoconservatives believe that [[democracy]] can and should be installed by the [[United States]] around the world, even in Muslim countries such as [[Iraq]], [[Iran]], and [[Saudi Arabia]].  Neocons tend to be [[atheistic]] while [[conservatives]] tend to be religious.

A '''neoconservative''' (colloquially, ''neocon'') is a former [[liberal]] who calls himself a [[conservative]], or a former [[conservative]] who caters to political views of the [[media]].  Neoconservatives favor [[globalism]], a bigger government, and so-called "[[free trade]]"; neocons downplay religious values and often disagree with [[conservatives]] on key social issues like [[abortion]] and [[homosexuality]].  Neoconservatives oppose appointing [[Supreme Court]] Justices who would overturn ''[[Roe v. Wade]]''.  Neoconservatives place their highest domestic priority on opposing [[affirmative action]] while silently opposing social conservatives on moral issues.  On foreign policy, neoconservatives believe that [[democracy]] can and should be installed by the [[United States]] around the world, even in Muslim countries such as [[Iraq]], [[Iran]], and [[Saudi Arabia]].  Neocons tend to be [[atheistic]] while [[conservatives]] tend to be religious.{{fact}}

In an essay entitled "The Neoconservative Persuasion," neocon founder Irving Kristol argued for a Big Government and said that neoconservatives favor the Roosevelts rather than [[conservative]] heroes of [[Calvin Coolidge]] and [[Barry Goldwater]].<ref>http://books.google.com/books?id=bdMPO7l2F7UC&pg=PA184&lpg=PA184&dq=neoconservative+%22barry+goldwater%22&source=web&ots=ZaZb29PBPp&sig=ZMh9_a4g4UZlqedxJlnDG-lbo-Y</ref>

In an essay entitled "The Neoconservative Persuasion," neocon founder [[Irving Kristol]] argued for a Big Government and said that neoconservatives favor the Roosevelts rather than [[conservative]] heroes of [[Calvin Coolidge]] and [[Barry Goldwater]].<ref>http://books.google.com/books?id=bdMPO7l2F7UC&pg=PA184&lpg=PA184&dq=neoconservative+%22barry+goldwater%22&source=web&ots=ZaZb29PBPp&sig=ZMh9_a4g4UZlqedxJlnDG-lbo-Y</ref>

Neoconservatives were instrumental in persuading [[Republican]] [[Fred Thompson]] to run for president in 2008, once [[Rudy Giuliani]]'s candidacy appeared unlikely to succeed.<ref>Neoconservatives might be expected to back [[John McCain]], but they do not -- most likely because McCain has little need or use for neoconservatives and thus they cannot expect to obtain top positions in a McCain Administration.</ref>  Thompson quickly pulled out of the race after finishing no better than third in the initial state primaries.

Neoconservatives were instrumental in persuading [[Republican]] [[Fred Thompson]] to run for president in 2008, once [[Rudy Giuliani]]'s candidacy appeared unlikely to succeed.<ref>Neoconservatives might be expected to back [[John McCain]], but they do not -- most likely because McCain has little need or use for neoconservatives and thus they cannot expect to obtain top positions in a McCain Administration.</ref>  Thompson quickly pulled out of the race after finishing no better than third in the initial state primaries.

Neoconservatives are frequently presented by the [[media]] as "[[conservatives]]" rather than as the "neoconservatives" that they are.  Perhaps due to their influence with the [[media]], [[neoconservatives]] dominated the administration of President [[George W. Bush]], and are considered to be responsible for initiating the [[Iraq War]].  Neoconservatives also favor military action against [[Iran]].

Neoconservatives are frequently presented by the [[media]] as "[[conservatives]]" rather than as the "neoconservatives" that they are.{{fact}} Perhaps due to their influence with the [[media]], [[neoconservatives]] dominated the administration of President [[George W. Bush]], and are considered to be responsible for initiating the [[Iraq War]].  Neoconservatives also favor military action against [[Iran]].

A cynical view of neoconservatives is they lack any chance for power within the [[Democratic Party]] or among [[liberals]], who have many experienced, educated influence-seekers.  Neoconservatives have an easier time reaching powerful positions by coming over to the [[Republican Party]], much as other former Democrats (e.g. [[Michael Bloomberg]]) became Republicans to advance their personal ambition.

A cynical view of neoconservatives is they lack any chance for power within the [[Democratic Party]] or among [[liberals]], who have many experienced, educated influence-seekers.  Neoconservatives have an easier time reaching powerful positions by coming over to the [[Republican Party]], much as other former Democrats (e.g. [[Michael Bloomberg]]) became Republicans to advance their personal ambition.