"Here's some of what Cruz had to say about Trump and Carson (via the Times):
>>>I like and respect both Donald and Ben. I do not believe either one is going to be our nominee. I don't believe either one is going to be our president. I think both of them, their campaigns have a natural arc. And with both of them I think gravity is pulling them down... Carson is further in that descent. You look at Paris, you look at San Bernardino, it's given a seriousness to this race, that people are looking for: Who is prepared to be a commander in chief? Who understands the threats we face? Who am I comfortable having their finger on the button? Now that's a question of strength, but it's also a question of judgment. And I think that is a question that is a challenging question for both of them. So my approach, much to the frustration of the media has been to bear hug both of them, and smother them with love. People run as who they are. I believe gravity will bring both of those campaigns down, I think the lion's share of their supporters come to us.<<<