[Petronski]

...all of whom, if memory serves, have called themselves neo-cons at one time or another.

Did they do so with any sense of irony or defiance?

[churchillbuff]

Did they do so with any sense of irony or defiance?"""

I don't think so. Either Podhoretz or the senior Kristol coined the word -- to describe former Democrats who because Republicans because of defense issues mainly. Neo con meanse "new conservative" -- new type of conservative, basically one who isn't for scaling back the welfare state. That's not my kind of conservative.