I have been to seven republican conventions, and I know what they are for (mostly showmanship and mending fences, but this situation is also one of their purposes). The purpose of a convention includes dealing with elections in which no candidate has an absolute majority of delegates. If the voters in the last few states decide that Cruz cannot win and all vote Trump, that will be a clear expression of their desire to avoid a contested convention, and I will approve. I personally will vote for Trump in just over a week, because I do not trust the party establishment if the convention goes to a second ballot.
However, if the voters continue voting for Cruz or even Kasich after those two are mathematically eliminated, then Trump’s lack of a majority of delegates will also be an expression of the will of the voters. I hope Trump can make the deals needed to win on the first ballot, particularly because I’m concerned about what would happen at the second ballot, but I want to see Trump win fairly by getting the necessary votes to get those delegates.
In a virtual dead heat, a convention battle is necessary.
In two weeks, Cruz should be mathematically eliminated from being able to win the necessary majority of delegates.
That is when a candidate usually drops out, not plan to fight it out in the convention.
Had this been any other candidate other then Trump, no one would be defending the actions of these candidates in attempting to win at the convention against the overwhelming front runner.
I would also vastly prefer to see someone win fairly, with the required delegate count, whoever it be...