You are right, it hurts the entire party, and hurts our chances in the fall.
But let me say this: This is the fault of one Ted Cruz. He could stop and be a hero any time. He could graciously bow out for the good of the country. Unfortunately he isn't doing that and appears to be doubling down.
I used to admire him, supported him until January, and now I think he's about to become the turd in the punch bowl. There are no reasons I can think of for him to do so other than negative ones.
I don't know if he's got delusions of grandeur, or he's in debt to the GOPe, has bad advisers, or if he has some kind of petty personal vendetta he can't let go of. Whatever it is, it ain't pretty.
There is one problem for him personally if he continues this insane course. If he doesn't become the gracious unifier, then he will lose everything he has worked for, including his career. If he continues, he won't be able to be elected dog catcher, let alone continue as senator. He's young, he was once bright, if he backs off, he can make another go of it.
Right now, he has to stop. For the good of all he has claimed to work for, he has to stop.
I don’t know that he can bow out now. I believe he is beholden to others and is required to stay in. He is supposed to be the spoiler and help some other spoiler step in. The people’s will doesn’t matter now. It is all about their strategy to neverTrump. Cruz knows he will not be president this go around and, possibly, never. He is following orders.