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Here's Wikipedia's definition of populism: "Populism is a political philosophy or rhetorical style that holds that the common person's interests are oppressed or hindered by the elite in society...Hence a populist is one who is perceived to craft his or her rhetoric as appeals to the economic, social, and common sense concerns of average people."

Don't like Wikipedia? Try Princeton University: "...the political doctrine that supports the rights and powers of the common people in their struggle with the privileged elite."

Now, let's try your definition: "...any movement that calls itself “grass roots,” or that justifies itself as the legitimate voice of the Greatest Number, especially in opposition to the established system, is a "populist movement."

Note the difference. You simply can't make up your own definitions as you go along. Further, I'm fairly widely read on the subject, and cannot recall anyone other than yourself, friendly or hostile to neoconservativism, referring to neoconservativism as a grassroots, populist movement. Among neoconservatives, there has been no effort to cultivate a grassroots following, no appeal to any perceived underclass, no attacks on either a real or fictitious elite.

Think Huey Long. Think William Jennings Bryant at various points in his career. Think Pat Buchanan at any time. Those are populists.

You wrote, "The socialists of the 20th century framed the debate, and established the rubrics."

What are you talking about? What does that mean? What socialists? What rubrics? Give examples. Support your argument(s) with other than vague, malapropistic absolutes.

Your brand of argument may fly where you come from, but wouldn't give a passing grade to a freshman on the community college debating team.

Among neoconservatives, there has been no effort to cultivate a grassroots following, no appeal to any perceived underclass, no attacks on either a real or fictitious elite.

You can't be serious. FR advertises itself as 'grassroots.' And if you've never heard the neocons bitching about the liberal elite you're a liar. BTW Huey Long, in addition to being a populist, was a very perceptive man, he once said “fascism could only be accepted here in America if it was called anti-fascism.” There is a lesson in there for the “anti-socialists.”