I don’t see the issue as being the GOPe is not playing by the rules. I see the issue as the GOPe has stacked the rules heavily in their own favor. Let us concede that the GOP is a private entity and that its “owners” are the GOPe. I’m not sure most GOP voters see it that way (many I’m sure see us as stockholders, rather than mere purchasers of the GOP brand), and may be a little shocked to realize it is actually no as they thought.
Furthermore, if we concede the GOP is a private entity not owned by the voters, then the goal of the GOPe (the owners) is to convince we the voters that they have our interests at heart. They fail miserably at this. And using well established rules to nullify the popular vote isn’t necessarily wrong in a legal sense, but it sure does not engender voter allegiance. They are like used-car salesmen intent on getting your money and giving you a lemon.
I for one will walk off the car lot, if the GOPe hucksters do a bait and switch on the 2016 model.
Nobody knows what the GOPe is. The term has lost its meaning.
If it still had meaning...the meaning you think it has ... you should be a little disquieted that Trump has snatched up a Manafort in a belated effort to help him with The Art of the Deal.