[JediJones]

Cruz has the most money raised next to Bush and Clinton:

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/us/elections/election-2016-campaign-money-race.html?_r=0

With this war chest, Cruz is more likely to stay in the race than candidates like Carson and Huckabee. So he could see support consolidate around him from other candidates. Without Trump in the race, Cruz' polling would probably be higher. Trump, not Bush, is basically the biggest threat to Cruz. Without Trump, Cruz is absolutely the default alternative to Bush in this race. He's the most viable.

[RC one]

When was the last time the conservative’s choice managed to beat the establishment's choice? Without Trump in the race, everybody’s polling would be higher btw, including Jeb Bush's. Political reality is harsh. The Bush machine is massive, well funded, well connected and infused throughout the media. As much as I like Cruz, I'm not convinced his machine can beat the Bush machine and that is based on many disappointing historical precedents.