Never before has a Republican nominee attempted to over rule the will of the majority of a states electorates wishes in a primary.
Cruz is crass, smarmy and egotistical to think he can be a slick lawyer and over rule people in a state he has barely visited. Cruz’s behavior and actions of going after the delegates in states he lost is very disturbing. Gloat all you want, but just know this is just one more reason why Cruz will continue to lose.
Disenfranchisement Cruz is one of his new names.
Actually, republican candidates have in contested races tried to take uncommitted delegates, even to the extent of a second place finisher trying to pass the top candidate from a state. Ronald Reagan did it (but didn't win) in 1976.
There are many stories on the 1976 convention, as one example, and most of them are more or less true and some are online. Reagan and Ford were both trying to take uncommitted delegates from states won by the other.