I’d say that Trump is looking to be able to defend things that do not depend so much on some “ism” — not conservatism, not liberalism — as they depend on truth and facts. Both lefties and righties have their demons du jour whereby they overstate cases. Trump is aiming for the space between the pillar and the post.
The "ism" which Trump seeks is "populism". Quite strong medicine: it almost carried Palin over the finish line despite the combined opposition of both McCain and the GOPe, *and* the Dems and Press combined.
Donald is busy defining himself to the low-information crowd among the undecideds and Dems, before the press remembers to stop shrieking at him for "not being a conservative."
Brilliant, to co-opt the press into doing your target marketing for you: and that, by reverse psychology.