It was the plan all along.
Until Trump threw a monkey wrench in it.
I agree with you. My first choice remains Cruz; but we must acknowledge that if Trump hadn't entered this race, there is a very real chance that we would now be looking at Jeb! coasting to the nomination.
We thus owe Trump a large measure of gratitude for undermining the GOPe scheme. If Cruz is not the eventual nominee, I will gladly support Trump. He is not a perfect conservative, but given what he will be replacing, our nation will heave a great sigh of relief one year from now.