Nothing subtle about it. This is how the game is played. Since Trump chooses to abstain, Cruz has no choice. If Cruz doesn't act, then the GOPe assigns those delegates by default. Cruz is the only one here fighting to make sure the GOPe doesn't steal this convention while Trump does nothing.
so they’ll abandon Trump after the first ballot
The ones the GOPe assigns by default will do the same thing.
- even though he won those delegates fair and square
Trump won those delegates fair and square on the first ballot only. Winning them after that requires ground work - something that Donald Trump has been unwilling to do.
The only candidate here fighting against the GOPe is Ted Cruz. Meanwhile, Donald Trump whines.
No, no, no. No matter how much people say that Ted Cruz is just playing the game - it doesn’t change the fact that Cruz is being shady and is in fact stealing delegates from Trump. Like I said, it’s not illegal but it’s unethical, plain and simple.