You win by getting your base excited.
Obama and Reagan are proof of this. The squishy middle just wants someone who appears to be strong in his convictions, and follow.
It is telling to me that the MSM theory is Republicans always have to be “moderate” and the Democrats can be the most radical of anyone to be elected. Very telling, and counter-factual, as the middle leans right, if anything.
The squishy middle wins by splitting the conservative vote. The right wing MUST unify behind someone, warts and all, or we’ll get another Romney.
Cruz looks like a good possibility for that. Will his name prove odious to religious Jews, however, being quite markedly Christian?