You keep saying “1273.”
I do not think that means what you think it means.
Try 1237.
No candidate is likely to gain that many delegates. After the first vote, the delegates are likely to select Cruz. That’s probably how it’s going to play out, according to the long-established rules. No “stealing” votes. Just working within the system.
It is stealing votes. The definition of stealing is taking something that doesn’t belong to you. The voters aren’t giving Cruz their votes, the system is.
When I vote I consider that my vote, not a bargaining chip in a merger. People died for that vote, risked everything they had in the American Revolution for that single vote. Rules don’t negate that.