You’re right, she is worried about the Cruz / Kasich Cabal.
You're as goofy as the last guy! No, she's not coughing because of Cruz or Kasich or Trump.
She's coughing because something is physically irritating her esophagus or respiratory system. It likely a symptom of some ailment that I would speculate is related to the fact that she is a fat unhealthy longtime drunk.