When Bush goes, 'neo-cons' are doomed

Rarely in the history of American politics has a small number of bookish intellectuals had so much influence on foreign policy as the 'neo-cons' - new conservatives - had under Bush and his vice president, Dick Cheney, neither of whom are noted for their deep intellectual interests.

Most presidents hope to attach some special meaning to their time in office. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, gave neo-con intellectuals the chance to lend their brand of revolutionary idealism to the Bush/Cheney enterprise.