Bill Kristol was a early supporter and proponent of the Iraq War. As early as 1998, he was calling for an American invasion. [1]

“And, as in Kabul but also as in the Kurdish and Shi’ite regions of Iraq in 1991, American and alliance forces will be welcomed in Baghdad as liberators.” [2]

“We committed ourselves to reshaping the Middle East, so the region would no longer be a hotbed of terrorism, extremism, anti-Americanism, and weapons of mass destruction. The first two battles of this new era are now over. The battles of Afghanistan and Iraq have been won decisively and honorably. But these are only two battles. We are only at the end of the beginning in the war on terror and terrorist states.” [3]

“And I think we will be respected around the world for helping the people of Iraq to be liberated.” [4]

Kristol’s ideological belief in the use of force even made President George Bush uncomfortable, causing the President to mockingly refer to Kristol as a “bomber boy.” [5]

Bill Kristol, as a long-time supporter of George W. Bush, finds himself in the minority in the Jewish Commmunity. [6]

By contrast, 78% of American Jews voted for President Obama in 2008 and American Jewish support for the President remains high. [7][8]

74% of American Jews voted against Bush in 2004, and 79% of Jews voted against Bush in 2000. [9]

Bill Kristol thinks the tea parties are the “best that has happened to the Republican Party in recent times” and the future “center of gravity” of the Republican Party. [10][11]

“White women are a problem, that’s, you know — we all live with that.” After fellow panelist Brit Hume responded, “Bill, for the record, I like white women,” Kristol said, “I know, I shouldn’t have said that.” [12]

Kristol pushed for Sarah Palin to be put on the McCain ticket.

On July 22nd, Kristol declared, “I don’t know if I can make it through the next three months without her on the ticket.” [13]

“[Sarah Palin’s] most ardent promoter, however, was Kristol… He described her as “fantastic”…. “She could be both an effective Vice-Presidential candidate and an effective President,” he said. “She’s young, energetic.” On a subsequent Fox News Sunday, Kristol again pushed Palin when asked whom McCain should pick. [14]

“First, I think she would help him get elected, which would be a good thing if you want gas prices to come down.” [15]

“Among conservatives there’s been too much pseudo-populism, almost too much concern and attention for, quote, ‘the people.’ After all, we conservatives are on the side of the lords and barons… We are pulling up the drawbridge against the peasants.” [16]

Footnotes:

[1] “Letter to President Clinton,” Project for a New American Century. January 26, 1998.

[2] “Conservative pundits made wildly wrong claims about how Iraq would turn out — what are they saying now about the Middle East?” Media Matters for America. July 27, 2006.

[3] ibid

[4] “Think Again: Deal Me In,” by Eric Alterman. Center for American Progress, July 19, 2007.

[5] “Bush mockingly referred to Kristol and Krauthammer as ‘the bomber boys,” by Matt Duss. Think Progress, Aug 11th, 2010.

[6] “The Next War President,” by William Kristol. New York Times, January 18, 2009.

[7] “Poll: Obama struggling with Jews, but not on Israel,” by Ron Kampeas. JTA, April 20, 2010.

[8] “Polling of US Jews on US Role in Middle East,” Gerstein- Agne, March 2010.

[9] “Religion and the Presidential Vote,” Pew Research Center, December 6, 2004.

[10] “Kristol: “The tea parties are the best thing that has happened to the Republican Party in recent times,” Media Matters for America, February 21, 2010.

[11] “Kristol: GOP’s future “center of gravity” lies with Beck, Limbaugh,” Media Matters for America, October 27, 2009.

[12] “Kristol: “White women are a problem, that’s, you know — we all live with that,” Media Matters for America, February 03, 2008.

[13] “Why John McCain Picked Sarah Palin,” by Jane Mayer. The New Yorker, September 27, 2010.

[14] ibid.

[15] “Fox and Kristol claim McCain’s VP choice will cause gas prices to ‘plummet,” by Matt Corley. Think Progress, June 30, 2008.

[16] “Republican revolution begins to eat its own,” by Michael Rust, Jamie Dettmer. Washington Post, March 25, 1996.