Thanks for the in-depth answer..
It is very obvious that once again, an unqualified candidate is relying on the ignorance of the electorate to steal an election.
Haven’t we been played enough?
Obvious to some, but not to most! The public is really really gullible, and Cruz has a plausible line, "I was born a citizen, I was not naturalized (this is ambiguous - false as a matter of law, true as a matter of going through a process), therefore I am a naturally born citizen.
I'd say way more than half of Freepers accept this as a perfectly and completely accurate analysis of the issue. A minute fraction, maybe 1% of the general public will have exposure to any contrary analysis, and I'd say 99% of them will accept Cruz's contention.
Plus, "why would he campaign if he wasn't?"
Courts won't take it up. It's a political question until there is a president-elect, then it is up to Congress to take up any challenge IT raises, to his qualifications.
Cruz knows this too.
What trumps (hahahahah) everything is public perception. Once a critical mass of the public takes a shine to a candidate, the "string pullers" won't monkey with it, unless the candidate will upset the apple cart. If Cruz gets strong public support, and the "string pullers" think he'll play ball (he will), then he's safe from exposure. If he becomes president-elect, Congress will seat him. You see, the people bought it, he's qualified, and perception trumps reality.
The legal argument is just a form of academic entertainment, and political/propaganda persuasion.