“it does suggest that he thinks taking conservative positions will help him in the general election. “
Yes, and that’s one of the reasons I’ll vote for him. I don’t believe he is a dyed in the wool conservative. But, he is running as one, pretty much, and politically he’ll have to govern as one, pretty much, or he won’t get a second term.
Bingo.
Mitt is running as a conservative because he knows that is what will succeed.
Mitt will govern as a conservative because he knows that is what will succeed.