Yes, that’s true. Having Cruz as his running mate, though, may gain him a few percentage points in the Hispanic vote.
Maybe. Cruz doesn’t destroy the “All Republicans are Racists” narrative the way Carson does though. What’s more, we have been told repeatedly that we can’t win unless we pander to the Hispanics i.e. accept amnesty. I really want to disprove that theory and I strongly suspect that a lot of blacks would be more than happy to assist us with this. Carson sweetens the deal.