In the 2000 Presidential campaign, liberals in the press started calling McCain and William Kristol neo-cons.
Now, Chris Matthews calls everyone in the Bush administration (except Colin Powell) neo-cons, and means it as a horrible insult.
I've been called a neo-con both as a compliment and a slur, but what the heck does the term even mean?
Somebody doesn't think you're conservative enough.
I know there are a few interpretive definitions of what a neoconservative is. By true definition, the word neoconservative means:
"a former liberal espousing political conservatism"
And Bill Buckley is no neocon. Buckley is a traditional conservative. Irving Kristol, the father of Bill Kristol is considered the "Father", or "Godfather" of neoconservatism in America.
Neoconservative.com says the following on their frontpage:
A site dedicated to advancing the political perspective known as neoconservatism, which is committed to cultural traditionalism, democratic capitalism, and a foreign policy promoting freedom and American interests around the world