He roomed with Alan Keyes in college. He got his first break in government by being hired as a domestic policy advisor to Dan Quayle. He was mistrusted by the Bush I White House. By the time he got to be Quayle's Chief of Staff, Baker wouldn't even allow him into campaign meetings because he said he didn't want to see everything in the press. Quayle says this was because James Baker was intimidated by Kristol's leadership and intellect. (Anyone who thinks Kristol could intimidate Baker may now quit reading, as you are a hopeless case.) Personally, that sounded very much to me like an idea that Kristol planted in Quayle's mind...much as he "suggested" that Quayle include that Murphy Brown reference in his speech, which of course was so helpful to Quayle's career.
Kristol was the campaign manager for Keyes's senate campaign, whicih was a failure. He then managed to convince Rupert Murdoch to start the funding for The Weekly Standard.
He was instrumental in getting the Republicans to go for a government shut-down in the budget confrontation with Clinton. He went on and on about Colin Powell being the ONLY possible candidate who could beat Gore. He switched to McCain when Powell refused to run. This, of course, is the same powell that Kristol is now attacking at every opportnity. Let us also not forget his bomb about the China plane incident , "Our Profound National Humiliation," which prompted the Cheney quote about selling magazines.
I would also bet cash money that he egged Jeffords to switch parties. He was a bit too gleeful about his scoop on Brit Hume's show, and I am wondering exactly where Jefffords got the mistaken idea that the administration was going to cut his milk funding.
Kristol, as a person with press credentials, has access to the halls of Congress and most agencies. I think he is like Iago, skulking around and carrying tales, dropping little divisive hints when he thinks it will cause the maximum effect.
This is, of course, my interpretation. I have spent a lot of time watching him and have concluded he shouldn't be trusted.
Watch what he says and does for 6 months and perhaps you will agree with me.
I just don't understand what it has to do with so-called "neo-cons". Maybe nothing.