Trump doesn't really care if he gets attacked or what people think of him. He has no political capital to lose because he isn't a politician. I do think he, (or more likely, the GOP establishment), is willing to spend millions to keep Sarah Palin or Mike Huckabee off the ticket in 2012. He is doing nothing but appealing to the voters who would likely vote for Palin or Huckabee, not the more moderate libertarian type conservative, who might vote for Romney, and his strong suit is the same as Romney's. That is peculiar to me, but I have said that a few times already. I could see Trump running a third party candidacy... I could see Trump running as a fiscal conservative... I don't understand Trump running as a populist social conservative, it just doesn't make good political sense to me.
Did Obama's stance against gay marriage make him a social conservative? Trump was asked his opinion on two hot topic buttons for conservatives-and he answered them honestly. I think you have him figured wrong. I believe he is sincere in his toe dipping at this time. I do not think he is purposefully doing any favors for the establishment. Romney garners a lukewarm response-Palin is toxic- Huckabee is too "awe shucks" to be appealing- and Paul is never gonna get the support imo. That leaves some worthy, but little known possibilities that I hope bring some solid ideas to the campaign and are able to rile up enthusiasm to run against an incumbent president.