You're right. This completely backfired on the GOPe and Cruz. They may have won the battle (for a few delegates) but they took a big step towards losing the war. It was so egregious it was obviously an artificial manipulation worthy of a North Korean or Iraqi dictator. They lost far more base, support, and trust than any comparable handful of delegates. Greedy, strategic idiots. Good riddance. I used to be on the fence, thinking either Trump or Cruz. No longer.
Originally, I leaned a little towards Trump, but I could have supported Cruz. No more. Cruz's campaign has convinced me that he is a big phony, and his lying and cheating are NOT conservative values.