Obviously, you realize that Cruz is principled.
Why are you in the Trump tank?
I agree with almost everything he believes, and I still find him grating. I didn't feel that way coming in. His style is perfect for appellate work in front of judges in a courtroom. Not as good for politics. So, I think he won't appeal to people in some of the states that we need to win the general election. I think Trump can expand the map. And I believe him on the border. If he does that, and blows up the RNC, that will let conservatives accomplish our objectives down the road. If Cruz wins the nomination, and loses, amnesty goes through and that it is, game over for America.
Cruz won't get the nomination in any event. He won't get a majority, he can only play spoiler. If he ever gets to the point where he has a shot at the nomination, all those GOPe resources currently devoted to Trump will be transferred to Cruz. But they will never get that far; he can't win Florida or Ohio, won't win NY and California is very unlikely. He can get some states that remain, but not enough. So the focus will be on Trump, and Cruz is only useful to deny delegates to Trump.
I'm not in the tank for anyone, that implies a lack of intellectual analysis. That is the kind of language that leftists use against us. You might try asking people why they "think" differently than you, and at some point, you may either be persuaded or at least understand their point of view. Most Cruz backers love his positions and believe he can win. If I agreed that he could win, I might be persuaded to back him, too. But I don't think he can even get the nomination, and also that if he did, he doesn't have wide appeal to the electorate. So that is why I favor Trump.
My ideal ticket at the beginning of this was Trump/Cruz. Now I think Cruz has burned that bridge. Maybe not. But it would be the best outcome--win the election, defeat amnesty, use Cruz to oversee the Senate and advise on Supreme Court picks, give him 8 years to become familiar to the electorate, and then have him follow Trump.
Think about it, and if you disagree, so be it. We will play it out.