Jonathan Krohn, the author of “Define Conservatism” and political prodigy voted “Atlanta‘s Most Talented Child” in 2006, was the talk of the Conservative Political Action Conference for a brief portion of the afternoon session.

 His two-minute address on “Conservative Victories Across the Nation” covered the lost principles of the Republican Party, which he called the “shell” to conservatism’s “filling.” It was filled with the type of rhetorical flow and emotional pitch one would expect from a seasoned hand. Except, Korn is more than four years away from being able to vote.

 Certainly, it was enough to win him a whole host of plaudits, from his co-panelists to the big-name attendees. “Watch out David Keene,” said Millie Hallow, the moderator of the panel, in reference to the conservative luminary who heads CPAC.

“He came up to me, grabbed my hand, and shook it,” said Joe the Plumber. “If I didn’t know any better I would say he was 30 years old. He definitely has a great confidence about him. I enjoyed talking with him…. He’s definitely sharp.”

 How, exactly, a 13-year-old (Krohn turns 14 on Sunday) got to this place is story of an intense, downright obsessive, interest in politics. Sitting at a table and signing copies his books — his red tie flopping on top of the white tablecloth, a flag pin pinched to his sports coat — he assigns credit for his fast ascension to none other than Bill Bennett.

 I got into politics when I was eight years old. Six years now. And I got involved because I started listening to talk radio. It goes back to one event. The Democrats filibustered something in the Senate when I was eight years old. I don’t remember what it was on and I didn’t honestly care when I was eight years old. I cared about the history and the Senate rules,” he told the Huffington Post.

I listened to Bill Bennett and tons of other talk show hosts who talked about that and other policies and started branching out and caring about other issues in regards to politics. Bill Bennett really became an idol for me. I listened to him every morning from 6 to 9 for, oh, years. And I started learning more and started to be able to think on my own, understanding politics on my own. I started to be able to use my mind to engage in political conversations under the conservative banner.”

He talks fast and with high-pitched emotion (no cracking of the voice), often banging his two fists against the table (each one holding a pen) for dramatic effect. His mother, naturally protective, reminds him at one point that he’s talking to a reporter from the Huffington Post. I know he is a liberal,” he replies. “But you are not the first liberal I talked to at CPAC.”

The topic on his mind – or at least mine – is how the Republican Party can resurrect itself. “Conservatism, conservatism, conservatism…” he replies. Whether these are talking points, I’m not sure. Either way, he has them down. “A lot of people say to me, ‘oh, you’re a Republican.’ And I say, ‘No, I’m a conservative.’ I’m a Republican when I support candidates. When I talk about the party I’m affiliated with I’m a Republican. But when it comes to what I am, I’m a conservative.

It was, Krohn says, an abandonment of philosophy that brought the GOP to its current state; on issues from immigration reform to bailouts. “I think they started losing it because the American people saw the American party wasn’t really based on conservatism,” he says.

And it will only be when Republicans return to their core conservative beliefs that electoral power will be reassumed. It’s an idea the majority of CPAC participants ardently believe. But he’s the only 13-year-old waxing philosophically about them.

 As for his choices for president, Krohn talks, once more, like a seasoned vet. “I would love to see Newt Gingrich,” he said. “But it’s impossible to see him up there. I don’t see him doing it. I would love Sarah Palin and Mitt Romney as well.

Jonathan Krohn is making political news, and as Conservatives laud him, Liberals are on the attack. Attacking a 13-year old, rudely and crudely, – hey, no problem for a Lib. Jonathan talks and writes about the principals of Conservatism, and it is no surprise that Liberals openly express their disdain of this young man for respecting the Constitution, human life and believing in personal responsibility.

 Child stars have been protected and hailed by Liberal Hollywood. So what if a very young Brook Shield was nude in Pretty Baby? So what if Dakota Fanning’s portrayal of a graphically, brutally raped 12 year old victim of child abuse, drowsily dreaming of real snakes slithering all over her? So what if the young boy in Slumdog Millionaire ran naked across the screen, in full view not only of audiences, but of the film crew up-close-and-personal?

These are the artistic expressions of talented young actors, but let us make fun of Jonathan Krohn, an intelligent, well-spoken 13-year old who thinks and writes about conservative principals that can apply to anyone, no matter a party preference.

The blog, Wonkette, says in about five years, we can call Jonathan a “twat,” (not a twit, mind you). Another says that “Jonathan Krohn is gonna get his ass kicked when he gets old enough.” Needlenose says that Krohn “is nothing less than Damien, The Son of Satan.” I will not link to them, but a google search will confirm these mean-spirited statements.Jonathan appeared at the CPAC convention and wowed the audience during his two-minute speech. 

His book, Define Conservatism, he explains, focuses on the principals of Conservatism, not Conservatism as policy. After interviews with politicians, and his own research, Jonathan determined that there are four elements to real conservatism. Read them below, and ask yourself why anyone would suggest that the Conservative principals laid out by this young man would call for labeling him a twat or a son of satan.

Jonathan Krohn Biography

Jonathan is 13-years old and he is being called a “child political prodigy.” He lives in Duluth, GA with his parents, Doug and Marla Krohn, and his dog Spot. His father is an engineer and his mother is a drama teacher. According to his website, neither parent is particularly interested in politics.

He is home-schooled, and until the release of his book, Define Conservatism for Past, Present and Future Generations, he has been known for his considerable acting skills.

Johnathan has appeared on Broadway as Michael Banks in Mary Poppins. It is reported he had three on-stage call-backs. That’s a very big deal on Broadway. Other credits: John Darling in Peter Pan, and Scott in Dear Edwina, Young Cain in Children of Eden, Colin Cravin in the Secret Garden, as well as parts in The Wizard of Oz, Tom Sawyer, The Jungle Book, and Alice in Wonderland.

Krohn is one-busy 13-year old. He is the principal writer for an internet radio show, “The Life Connection.” He was a guest narrator for Gwinnett Philharmonic’s rendition of Benjamin Britten’s Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra. This young man has played the cello since he 4-years old and has recently begun playing the banjo.

Jonathan says he became interested in politics at age 8 when he heard Bill Bennett on the radio. This was at the time Democrats in Congress were “consistently” filibustering Miguel Estrada’s judicial nomination. Krohn says he was “fascinated by the filibusters” and “why anyone would want to do such a thing.”

His book is not geared toward any age group. At just under 100 pages, it is simple and quick reading. Krohn’s definition of Conservative principals is not solely his definition, but the culmination of the principals he pulled from research and from leading Conservative Georgia politicians.

The principals are, in Jonathan’s words:  respect for the U.S. Constitution, respect for life, less government and personal responsibility Shucking it down to the cob, I noticed that almost every conservative without an exception pretty much said that those four basic principles were important and key to being a conservative