So, lets walk this backward...

Elect a leader who the world sees as weak and risk an attack early in the Presidency.

No, no, let me really Kristolize that statement a bit...

Elect a leader who the world sees as weak because of the POLICIES he's articulated and risk an attack early in the Presidency.

OK, now hop in the WAAAY back time machine...

Elect a leader (George Bush) who the world sees as weak because of the POLICIES he's articulated and risk an attack early in the Presidency (like a mere 8 months in).

And then, of course, we have John McCain telling us...

"Fact is that I have agreed with President Bush far more than I have disagreed... And I am particularly talking about the war on terror, war in Iraq, national security, national defense."

So, John McCain AGREES on policy, with George Bush, a leader who was tested early in his Presidency.

Um, so, Mr. Kristol, shouldn't this...

"Its just factually true that electing someone with the policies he's articulated, I think, increases the risk of enemies testing him in his first months in office and allies being worried that he's too weak..."

...be a reference to THIS...