Brooks is correct about one thing...that the GOPe would love to have just one RINO candidate right now! Currently, if Trump has ~35% (34.8% RCP Ave.) and has ~20% (18.8% RCP), then if one RINO GOPe candidate were to remain, it’s possible that RINO might have close to 45%...probably less as some voters would peel off to both Trump and Cruz. Nonetheless, there is a chance after the field clears in a couple of weeks that a GOPe candidate could emerge with polling results close to that of the Donald.
The lesser players (Santorum, Paul, Fiorina, Huckabee) will certainly be dropping out after IA/NH. Carson and Paul will soon follow! Depending on performances in IA/NH, three of the remaining four RINO candidates (Rubio, Kasich, Christie, Jebra) could be given their marching orders by the GOPe and one finalist could emerge...take your pick! Personally, I would bet on Rubio.
So, by mid-February we might see Trump at ~40% +/- nationally, Rubio at 35%, Cruz at 25%....all will be well funded and viable heading into the bigger stakes primaries.
What happens then is anyone’s guess, but there would be no lock for anyone...slugfest to continue! GOPe vying for nobody getting over 50% of delegates...
I’d say you are on the right track.
I firmly believe the GOPe is fighting for their very lives against Cruz, as the GOPe has so much to lose IF a true conservative is successful in rousing the people.
There is no way the GOPe is going down without a bloody war. They have too much to lose relative to themselves. It’s their party. Those who are still members of the GOP are just that, members in the party of the establishment, therefore don’t shelve Jeb Bush yet, ‘cause he’s their guy. Him, and Rubio.