The reason Romney panders to social conservatives is because that is the way you win the Republican nominaion.
Once he wins the nomination, if he does, he can then start the smart strategy of appealing to moderates and independents.
But if the GOP national Convention (people really will watch it unless the 2012 Olympics conflicts with it) turns into a showcase for the Hard Right and contradicts the attempt at a moderate image, then the Hard Right will ensure the defeat of Mitt Romney much as it did to John McCain.
