[maxwell]

I always thought the difference between neocons and cons was, the former would be more likely to smoke a joint with ya...

What's your distinction between Old and New Rightists?

[jstone78]

("....What's your distinction between Old and New Rightists?....")

This is just my opinion, and is not definitive. In my view, an Old Rightist ideology emerged as a critique of the New Deal, while New Rightists were critics of LBJ's Great Society. That differences in emphasis causes a slight difference between the two.

Old Rightists are strong defenders of individual rights, and come closest to the beliefs of classic liberals. But New Rightists are strong defenders of states' rights and strong local government. But both are virulently opposed to big government at the federal level.

The Barry Goldwater of 1964 is an example of an Old Rightist, while Paul Weyrich is a New Rightist.