Cruz would be garnering the votes if it wasn’t for so many conservatives deciding to ditch their principles and vote for “the Donald”
Cause and Effect. The GOPe is the Cause, Trump is the Effect. Republican Politicians, and yes that includes Cruz, have burned a lot of Bridges with their Conservative Base.
That being said, nobody is abandoning Cruz. Not one person has Voted for any of the 17 Candidates yet, but Cruz is not gaining much traction with Republicans outside of places like FR.
We have a long Row to Hoe, so I wouldn’t make such blanket accusations quite yet. It appears a lot of Trump’s support is coming not only from Conservatives, but Moderates and Independents, people that Cruz isn’t currently attracting.
A Year is a Lifetime in Politics.