The significance of this can't be overstated, for Kristol, a figure whose ideology is of a piece with that of the Republican Party of which his was an especially audible voice for much of this young century, has vindicated what some of us have been saying for quite some:

The GOP is not, as it insists, "conservative."

It is neoconservative.

And between neoconservatism and classical or traditional conservatism, there is a difference not merely in degree, but in kind.

Bill's own father, Irving, was explicit on this score.  In contrast to traditional conservatives, he wrote, neoconservatives embrace "the welfare state."  They enthusiastically endorse "social security, unemployment insurance, some form of national health insurance [i.e. "universal healthcare" or "socialized medicine"], some kind of family assistance plan, etc."