As a Cruz supporter, but one who has Trump as my #2 pick, I'll give it a shot. I am confident that Cruz is more conservative than Trump. I know exactly how conservative Cruz is. He's not 100% consistent, but neither is anyone else in politics, and he's one of the top three in the US Senate today. I have no clue how much of Candidate Trump is real and how much is posturing, and I don't think anyone else does either. I believe Trump will at least partially deliver on what he promised, but I have no idea how his unclear ideology will interact with his (impressive) practical and (entertaining) showman sides in office.
As for the general election, I agree with Trump voters that Donald Trump is probably a stronger candidate than Cruz. Cruz would have to show a previously hidden ability to convincingly articulate why conservatism is right, the way Reagan did, to win without it being frighteningly close in November. That or trust the democrats to nominate someone shockingly unqualified (but that didn't prevent America's most dangerous enemy from winning in 2008 or 2012).
Thanks for the honest reply.
Basically that’s how I feel - Cruz on principle. But if Trump is nominated, I’ll vote for him.