Probably not. He just doesn't want to face them.
I hope he (and his allies) realize that if he is the nominee, there will be a third party pro life candidate, a spoiler. He's counting on skimming off enough support to win California and New York... but if he loses the middle of the country to a spoiler, then Ms. President will sweep him into the also-ran column.
If Republican voters do not back Rudy or whoever the nominee is in the general, then said 'Republicans' are electing a radical socialist criminal back to the White House. Let's all back our candidates in the primary and see how things shake out. Whoever the nominee is has my vote for sure. There is not going to be any legitimate 3rd party candidate.
Can you spell P--A--T----B-U-C-H-A-N-A-N?