 Krohn wrote Defining Conservatism , which was self @-@ published in 2008 , when he was 13 years old , because he felt the term conservatism was often misused . The book was in part a response to criticism that John McCain , the 2008 Republican presidential candidate , received regarding his conservative credentials . The book outlines four fundamental principles of conservative thought : support for the United States Constitution , opposition to abortion , less government , and more personal responsibility . Krohn went on to apply the principles to current events and define whether specifically cited actions violated those principles . The book was dedicated to Ronald Reagan , William F. Buckley , Jr. and Barry Goldwater , whom Krohn describes as his political heroes , along with South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint . Krohn paid to have the book published from his own savings . He described it as a " first effort " and immediately planned to write a second one , which he said would focus in part on Alexander Hamilton and James Monroe . 
