According to my calculations, 104 of Rubio’s 164 delegates would be free to vote for anyone they want on the first ballot after Rubio officially withdraws. The other 60 are bound to vote for Rubio. If Rubio endorses Cruz, almost all of these would go to Cruz. But this is still not enough for Cruz to overtake Trump on the first ballot.
Another 51 of Rubio’s delegates would be freed to vote for anyone they want on the second ballot.
Furthermore, the 50 delegates from South Carolina are bound to vote for the second or third place person if there is a second ballot. A +50 for Cruz and -50 for Trump.
This might be enough for Cruz to overtake Trump.
IOW - If Trump doesn’t win on the first ballot, Cruz stands the best chance of winning the second ballot.
Pull this crap, the Trump people will walk.
It isn’t a hard thing to figure out. It’s just a matter of if Cruz is stupid enough to pull it.
Brilliant Analysis.