Yes, I've always found that unlike in the general election the democratic primaries always break for the candidate on the "Kick a puppy" platform.

Well except for the freak win by the "throw momma from the train" candidate in 1956. But since the whistle stop tours haven't enjoyed much popularity since then, we can easily discard that win as not relevant in today's politics.

If somebody does well in the primaries, it's probably because he/she is likable. It's not that the democratic base chooses the biggest asshole of the bunch. They chose the most viable, likable person. The dynamic between the general and primary is almost entirely the same concerning "Likeability"