[grey_whiskers]

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.

[HiTech RedNeck]

True, Donald is closer to that “ism” and he’s even asked for it in the way he has asked for a deal.

My personal take? If conservatism wants a significant place at Trump’s table, it needs to start dealing. If it just sits and pouts, Trump is going to have to navigate this himself and we will get the luck of the deal (of cards).

[HiTech RedNeck]

And it is also fortunate from a conservative viewpoint that, currently, the “people” are far more conservative than the government. Just by aiming at that, Trump manages to embrace a lot of conservative desiderata.