“Donald Trump would win right now, in a runaway landslide.”
You don’t understand what an organized ground campaign can do if done right and Cruz knows how to do that. Personal contact with voters now and later and just before they vote, plus mailings now and later and just before voting, works, if you have a quality candidate. Trump’s TV appearances won’t substitute for a ground campaign. Cruz already has offices open in every county with paid workers there.
Isn’t this how Obama beat Hillary?
Cruz has organized support in all 99 counties. Most are NOT paid staffers, they are volunteers.