I agree that Cruz destroyed himself and validated Trump as the right candidate. I also agree that Trump let him speak, already knowing what he was going to say — Trump said as much.
I hope you are right that the existence of this rump group of Republicans doesn’t end up giving some strength to Hillary, or motivate Republicans to sit out the election. There are some states (North Colorado, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia in particular) where it looks in July 2016 like the November election will be close. We need a large-enough margin of victory for Trump to overcome the inevitable vote counting fraud that will occur as the Democrats cheat. Particularly in Virginia, where everyone is so politicized, it is very important to keep the Republicans motivated. Cruz’s behavior provides an excuse, though not justification, to those who don’t want to align themselves with Trump.
Knowing that trump knew what he would say makes me wonder if it was allowed on purpose to unite the base and put to bed the never trumpets forever. I was a Cruz guy early, I voted trump in Ohio to block that bastich kasich. But I don’t think Cruz would agree to end his career, he’s shown how selfish he is before this, to help trump - and that’s what he did tonight. But trump played chess again and this will be the talk until he gives his speech tomorrow - how the base essentially threw out the runner-up and cemented the party behind Trump. Been a wild primary cycle that’s for damn sure.
If the prospect of a Hillary Clinton White House is not sufficient motivation, I don't know what is!