The GOP voting base has just never been big on Cruz which is why he has struggled in the polls for 8 months. If not for Trump jumping in Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio would be running one and two and Cruz would be out of contention.
Cruz drafted on Trump’s rear bumper in the hopes that Donald would eat him last and it got him into a distant second place without much scrutiny. Now Trump has turned his tender mercies Ted’s way. Cruz’s recent sideways votes, eligibility weakness and oops moments capped off by campaigning with the Blanche Dubois of republican talk radio and his support is sliding South fast.
When Cruz supporters start tossing around all the childish nicknames like Trumpees, Trumpetts, etc., I feel like asking them -
Would you rather I liked Jeb? LOL!
I don't really even 'like' Trump, he's a bit bombastic for my taste - but I understand what he's trying to do.