Cruz probably knows this. He must think he can overcome the party hacks on a second or third ballot. Even so, he should know that he will lose massively in the fall, after Trump's supporters stay home or refuse to vote for the Republican nominee.
Maybe Cruz does know this. Maybe...just maybe....his game is even more slick. Not only does he want to steal the nomination, but he wants to do so in a way that makes Trump so angry that Trump tries to run on a third party ticket, or supports someone else on a third party ticket. (Trump may have trouble getting on a ticket after the Republican convention, it will be too late).
Could Cruz be angling for a 3 way race? Or even a 4 way race? (If Sanders gets shut out on the Dem side). What if that's what Cruz wants. Since he knows he can't get to 270, even in a 2 way race, he needs Trump to take enough votes from Hillary so she can't get there, either. Then, the House of Representatives decides who is President. That's where Paul Ryan comes in. Given a choice between Cruz, Hillary and Trump, even Ryan will pick Cruz.
Sounds far-fetched, but it really is the only way Cruz could possibly win election. The way he is not just insulting Trump and his voters, but almost goading them into leaving, makes it seem like it may be what he is up to.
We will see how this plays out, but it sure has been a crazy election season, one that portends of the end of an era and the beginning of something. Something bad, if the elites keep up their games.
Reminds me of something I heard about ROBBING BANKS:
The most dangerous time isn't when you have the gauge out, and your heart is racing, and you're spinning the wheel for the cash as the cops might be coming.
It's when you're WHACKING UP THE CASH (for the gang members).