Kinda lost me right there, my good FRiend.
And, to your other points, if the Never Trumpers support someone that I support, that does not mean that he supports them. And, it does not mean that he owes anybody.
Actually, I'm pretty certain that DJT will not get the GOP nom, and it will be mostly on DJT. He'll say his cringeworthy things, and have us searching for options.
I also suspect that DeSantis has a much better chance of winning the general, as many of the GOPers that I know (including my DW) have said that they've had it with Trump.
As unfair and unenlightened as it seems, major elections are won and lost on optics. Appearance, scary behavior (thus trust), age, and other visual and visceral attributes will sway superficial voters. DJT can't compete with youth, vigor, and superficial perceptions.
All that said, we're really talking about the primaries and the nom; and, if DJT wins the GOP nom, I'll vote for and support him.
“Bush was very wise and Presidential”
I will concede that I almost projectile vomited when I typed that ... ;-). That’s all I will say about that :-) .