The reason Cruz blamed Trump was that it was the only way to, temporarily, deflect the story. It was his only out. It is telling that he didn’t go after the source but diverted to Trump. It will only gain him for a very short period (maybe enough time to engage some intensive polling...to tell him if there is any way to position this for the longer term). The drip, drip though is about to destroy him. He is trying to buy time by bringing Trump in. Even a politician isn’t that bull-headed though, he has to know this wound, by his own hand, is mortal.
Your post was about how Cruz blamed trump to buy some time. Agreed and a question remains if he knew about this weeks in advance ( see article on sidebar) does that mean he was in on the revelation or was he blackmailed and had to watch it play out?
His gang of 8 has ruined his career.
If we got into a shooting war, Cruz would give orders to bomb our allies.