What exactly did Kristol say? They article says he "is on record as saying that the 'liberal media' canard is often used by conservatives as an excuse to cover up for conservative failures", but doesn't include a quote or citation. (Putting "liberal media" in quotes doesn't count as a citation, since he uses the term all the time.)
I have zero doubt that this is a behavior they've used, but it's a little weak to say that he's "on record" without pointing to the record.
I’ll give you three direct quotes and a link to all three.
Bill Kristol: "I admit it. The liberal media were never that powerful, and the whole thing was often used as an excuse by conservatives for conservative failures."
Rich Bond, chair of the Republican Party in 1992, during the 1992 presidential election: "There is some strategy to it [bashing the 'liberal' media]. If you watch any great coach, what they try to do is 'work the refs.' Maybe the ref will cut you a little slack on the next one."
Pat Buchanan during his 1996 presidential campaign: "I've gotten balanced coverage, and broad coverage-all we could have asked. For heaven sakes, we kid about the 'liberal media,' but every Republican on earth does that."
I have zero doubt that this is a behavior they've used, but it's a little weak to say that he's "on record" without pointing to the record.