[paladinan]

This is not a difficult concept: Personal insults directed at Cruz or at his voters do not make it more likely for the 30% of republican voters who preferred Cruz to vote Trump in November.

Exactly. Insults at Cruz (and his family--an especially low blow) just make the insulters look like cretins, and it further alienates those who preferred Cruz.

Why on earth do Trump supporters, when hearing criticisms of Trump, instantly (and as reflexively as dog-drool from a Pavlovian experiment) retort with something like "You're just upset that your guy lost!"...? Is that really the only possible basis for criticizing Trump? That he's "not Ted Cruz"? That's insanity.

Trump has lots of flaws. We need to deal with them, not whitewash them.

[bert]

The truth of the matter is, there is no basis for criticizing Trump

[Jarhead9297]

“Why on earth do Trump supporters, when hearing criticisms of Trump, instantly (and as reflexively as dog-drool from a Pavlovian experiment) retort with something like “You’re just upset that your guy lost!”...? Is that really the only possible basis for criticizing Trump? That he’s “not Ted Cruz”? That’s insanity.”

Almost as impulsively stating any disagreement with the “one” is RACIST.
This does not appear it will end as I hoped’ a unified party. This doesn’t clean up Trump will lose. There is no debate to that fact if 30% do not come over.

[Resettozero]

Insults at Cruz (and his family--an especially low blow) just make the insulters look like cretins...

I hear ya. What was posted as an observation, you take as an insult. That's on you.