Cruz will do poorly among blacks, no better than Romney, although as a Hispanic, he will do better among that group, especially in Florida, a battleground state and where Cuban-Americans are concentrated. Also, blacks will not turn out for Hillary Clinton in the numbers they did for Obama, which place Virginia, Ohio, and North Carolina more in play. Millennials are maturing, and like the Baby Boomers and Generation Xers, will follow their path rightward. Additionally, Cruz is 20 years younger than his likely opponent, which is an advantage.
The one issue that will be crucial is the Republican ability to aggressively challenge Democrat urban political machines. Voter fraud cost Nixon the Presidential election in 1960, possibly Ford in 1976 and maybe Romney in 2012. The one time it was challenged was in 2000 in South Florida, and the GOP won the contest. Regarding the 2012 election, the GOP did not challenge the results from South Florida and the urban Ohio counties like Cuyahoga. I have no doubt, that if nominated, Trump will dip deeply into his pockets to hire lawyers and other resources to assure Democrat thugs are kept in check. I don't know about Cruz, who may be more willing than Romney was, but who lacks the resources of Trump or the Bush family.
The only way we will know for sure who will be President is when the votes are counted and the electoral college numbers are known. Cruz could be the best person for election day. He could be a loser.
right on the money!