[mrsmith]

Some good points but misses the mark.
Example: “voters wanted an outsider”. Cruz intentionally avoided that perception early in the campaign (downplaying his anti- illegal immigration view most obviously) letting Trump grab that position.

And Cruz’s campaign strategy was centered on getting delegates in the early southern primaries. Failing to do that put his entire campaign in a shambles which he could never recover from.

[itsahoot]

downplaying his anti- illegal immigration view

Because it wasn't true and he knew he could not convince people that it was.

[Ancesthntr]

“And Cruz’s campaign strategy was centered on getting delegates in the early southern primaries. Failing to do that put his entire campaign in a shambles which he could never recover from.”

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His best play would have been to cut a deal with Trump right after he fell off the edge of the planet on Super Tuesday. It would have spared his dignity, gotten him something (maybe Veep, maybe AG, maybe a SC appointment) and kept the party united. But he let his ego rule his intellect, and now he’ll have a tough time getting re-elected as Senator - NO ONE will owe him ANYTHING, and the Establishment’s hatred for him will be higher than ever, especially for having failed to stop Trump.

So disappointing - I used to really like the guy, to think that he was Presidential timber, this generation’s Reagan. Nope, he’s just another flash in the pan on that score.