Kristol also thought John McCain was a better choice for President in 2000.
You've got the right take. Kristol has been on the McLame bandwagon from the get go. This is HIS wishful thinking, not Bush's intentions. AG already said he isn't in the running. End of story.
Bush is a fine man, a good man. McCain is a jerk, and is crazy to boot.
BUT---if Republicans squander a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change for the better the very course of history by appointing two SOLID CONSERVATIVES to the SC, we might as well have McCain or whoever.