| − | 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. |
| | 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 back [[Republican]] [[Fred Thompson]] for president in 2008, and were probably instrumental in persuading him to run when [[Rudy Giuliani]]'s candidacy seemed 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> | + | 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. 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]]. |