I’ve thought that the GOPe could more easily accept Cruz because they know know to control him, just as they’ve done throughout his short Senate career. They can’t stop him from going to voters directly and raising money and building an organization, but even if he should become President, they know how to ringfence him. Even assuming the Republicans hold onto a majority in both houses of Congress, it’s two years til the midterms and historically the party in the WH has a hard time holding onto both houses. Once the Democrats get back in control of one house, Cruz is blocked.
Trump, on the other hand, is a wild card and they know he will control the agenda even if he doesn’t have a majority in Congress. For one thing, he will wheel and deal to get what he wants, and for another, he will embarass and humiliate them to the point they’ll soil themselves over losing their seat.
Do you live in Colorado?
“Once the Democrats get back in control of one house, Cruz is blocked.”
Funny how that works. Dems can block a Republican Prez controlling one house, but Repubs can’t seem to block a Dem Prez if they control both houses, much less one.