What is with this term "Neo-Conservative"?

[Martus]

I keep hearing this term "Neo-Conservative" thrown about by the "anti-war" phonies. What does this term mean and where did it come from?

Just wondering....

[sam_paine]

Good question. I've heard others called "Paleo-conservative," too. I know the roots, but what is the intention of the coiners???

[palmer]

They are the anti-conservative neo-warriors.

[Texas_Jarhead]

Take a look at this, it might help

[Arkinsaw]

Apparently there are two opposing factions of conservatives. The neo-cons and the paleo-cons. I know that people call Pat Buchanan a paleo-con. Neo-cons are apparently Bush supporters. I frankly have no idea what a neo-con really is (I guess, someone who wouldn't like Pat Buchanan). In any event, its a pretty stupid division and not worthy of all the smoke and heat produced.

[Revolting cat!]

Sorry, I wouldn't know. Now, if you axed about a "neon-conservative", I could esplain!

[Keith in Iowa]

Main Entry: neo·con·ser·va·tive
Pronunciation: -k&n-'s&r-v&-tiv
Function: noun
Date: 1952
: a former liberal espousing political conservatism
- neo·con·ser·va·tism /-v&-"ti-z&m/ noun
- neoconservative adjective

[annyokie]

Lew Rockwell!! Ackk!! I don't get you Libertarians. Help me here.

[TexasNative2000]

A neo-conservative is one who was formerly a liberal (or a communist - see Irving Kristol) who has become a conservative.

The classic line is that a neo-conservative is a liberal with a teenaged daughter. . . . .

[Keith in Iowa]

paleoconservative

SYLLABICATION: pa·le·o·con·ser·va·tive
PRONUNCIATION: pl--kn-sûrv-tv
ADJECTIVE: Informal Extremely or stubbornly conservative in political matters.
OTHER FORMS: pale·o·con·serva·tive —NOUN

[Arkinsaw]

I looked at the page you posted. This is quite odd since I am in favor of a strong foreign policy, and am favorable to the South, like decentralization (except foreign policy, defense policy, patents, and all other "legitimate" Constitutional duties of the federal government), and oppose "mass" immigration but not legal immigration. So I guess that makes me a neo-paleo-conservative, or perhaps a non-neo/non-paleo conservative. Or maybe just a conservative.

[TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!]

Patrick Joseph Buchanan invented this term , ask him.

Buchanan means it differently than the leftists I hope, I guess it is the new "enn" word.

[Bogey78O]

Do a FR search. Tons of stuff.

[Peacerose]

My guess is that it is meant to make conservatism sound dark and mysterious - something that simple people had best stay away from due to hidden dangers that only liberal pundits are capable of understanding.

Example: Arch-neo-conservative-crypto-fascists

OOOOOOoooooooooooooo...OOOOOOOOooooooooooooooo....Makes you want to holler, "Trick or treat!"

[NovemberCharlie]

This might help. A very old post that I found in my bookmarks. It's amazing what I've got in there!

[Woahhs]

Generally speaking, paleo-cons are what you might think of as the classic WASP stereotype.

Neo-cons are pretty much liberals in the classical sense in that Americans are defined by their philosopy rather than their pedigree.

[Bogey78O]

or a liberal that's been mugged by reality.

[merrin]

Neo-conservatives are former liberals and leftists who moved right in response to liberal appeasement of the Communists. They are predominantly (or at least disproportionately) Jewish and tend to be more idealistic than traditional conservatives, particularly in the area of foreign policy.

The Weekly Standard could be fairly described as a neoconservative magazine.

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

They are people who intend to give "proper direction" to conservative. The big question is what specifically are they conserving?

[TexasNative2000]

What's a neo-liberal? A conservative with a son in jail . . . . . .