The hypotheticals around Bernie winning any presidential primary always ignores the question of whether or not Bernie would tack to the middle or moderate in the General election

Almost every politician in a contested primary election tries to position themselves as reflective of their party base to win the primary election and later feasible enough to potentially win the general election. Most politicians after winning their primary elections have to find ways of not just competing against allies but winning over swing voters and independents in general elections and adopt views that would make them more palatable to general election voters. Bernie labels himself, in addition to his supporters, as a progressive populist who would garner the support of people across the board in a general election but he failed by wide margins to win over democrats. If Bernie was successful in winning his primary election to prepare for a general election, does anyone not think Bernie would not try to become more feasible as a politician to the broader electorate by adopting more conservative or moderate policy positions or do they think Bernie would lean even further left? Would this not upset his supporters who have projected so many views and positions onto him? This does not even begin to address the obstacles such as aspirational candidate would face in passing legislative agendas or securing victories that evade court challenges and other bureaucratic means testing. 

I just have always found it interesting how unrealistic Bernie’s prospects are painted devoid of the other political gravitational effects that seem to taint the careers of other politicians.