I fail to see how he helps anyone in the race aside from moderates and democrats. Jeb Bush will be in the race to the very end based on money alone which leaves only (real) conservatives getting hurt.
It's rare you and I disagree....but here's my take: SOTC laid out a scenario I've agreed with for weeks...everything except the coordination part. Trump's liberalism and lack of long time ingrained conservative instincts will raise it's head at some point. This will shock and disappoint a good percentage (not all) of his support. At that point, those people will realize that the one who is really sympatico with their beliefs is Cruz and has been all along....meanwhile, Cruz has said nothing critical of the Donald, and has been just as fearless as the Donald to boot (altho not as entertaining). Cruz will inherit the passion and bluntness caucus that is now tied up by Trump.
As for Jeb, he's got to wrestle with Marco, Christie, Lindsey, to some degree Carly and Scott also. Totally different from where Mitt was four years ago....with only Jon Huntsman in the race for 15 minutes to split the estab vote. I do not see Jeb as serious really.