Pretending I was is just an attempt at deflection.

Bernie's leftist message has already appealed not only to many across the conservative spectrum, as we see here at DU, but specifically to some strong social conservatives and former tea-partiers. Why would Bernie be focusing on drawing more of them if he wasn't trying to woo them?

It's a good thing to draw economic and moderate conservatives who want to repair our economy and strip the power we so foolishly gave away to the wealthy from them again. Those are allies we need.

Unfortunately, that's NOT what social conservatives want. They actually tend to be more comfortable with a ruling class-based structure and to see nothing wrong with authoritarian government, inequality, fascism, and the oppression of minorities -- as long as its THEIR ideology, religion, and race in charge. How do you think a billionaire class rose in this country, if not with their help?

They also don't understand and disapprove of the enlightened, liberal principles our nation was founded on, and they insist that it was not. They say they don't like big government, but they actually very much want THEIR kind of big government in power. They are a major force in the growing fascist leanings in our nation today.

As for Senator Sanders' appeal, in spite of having been a big part of the establishment for a quarter century, he has successfully cast himself as anti-establishment, and they like that. Being extremist, they will support left-wing extremism, as well as right -- for now, but Bernie can't control them. Because you're right. He's not really their kind of leader for the long term.