I understand what you’re saying, but if Cruz did the honorable thing, dropped out, and asked his delegates to support Trump how would that NOT utterly block Kasich and the GOP-e?
Asked? That depends on how loyal the Cruz delegates are. Asking is not binding, and most delegates would not take it as such. It’s not even terribly effective unless Trump simultaneously announces that his VP will be Cruz.
At the very least, staying in until all delegates are selected helps because that gives Kasich (a pure establishment candidate, or a bit left of the establishment) fewer delegates. At the very least, staying in until the Convention rules are approved helps because that gives Cruz delegates a personal stake in seeing that the rules protect Cruz, and the rules that would protect Cruz are almost exactly the same as the rules that protect Trump. Once the convention rules are chosen, my view on Cruz staying in may change, depending on those rules. At least for now thogh, both Trump and Cruz have much better odds with Cruz in the race.
I don’t agree. If Cruz dropped out and asked his people to support Trump, I’m sure enough of them would listen to ensure that Trump gets the nomination (if you’re loyal to your candidate, why WOULDN’T you?). Suddenly - game over, and on to Hillary.
Even if they WEREN’T going to listen to Ted, I don’t see why anywhere near the majority of Cruz candidates would go to Kasich, unless they’re all just so deranged now and filled with Trump-hate that they can’t function rationally. Kasich is, after all, far to the left of Trump, who’s to the left of Cruz. Why would they make THAT jump?
You are assuming that most Cruz delegates are Cruz loyalists. I've spent a lot of time at national conventions talking with delegates, sometimes informally (which helps me to ask better questions in formal surveys), sometimes to survey their views. A lot of these people are party loyalists of various types, and a lot of them are ordinary people who are intimidated by their surroundings. They have to support Cruz on the first ballot, because it is required under the rules, and sometimes beyond that so they will not offend the people back home, but loyalty is often much lower than you would expect.
Removing Ted Cruz from the mix will leave many of his delegates unguided, and the establishment would be happy to step in and provide that guidance. For the Mom-next-door, they will be right there explaining how a Kasich (or Rubio, or Jeb) nomination would be best for the party and best for America. For the ambitious insider, they would be explaining how there would be a spot for them under the Kasich Administration or with the state party. Party leaders are good at getting what they want, which is why they are leaders. The less time they have to mess with the delegates, the better.
Read a week or two of my posts (or a month, but that is a lot of reading) and see if you think I'm sincere on supporting Trump and on voting Trump in six days. I want Trump to win on the first ballot. It's not guaranteed with or without Cruz dropping out now, but I believe based on professional experience that the best odds for Trump are if Cruz stays.
The "honorable thing" is for Cruz to stay and earn as many delegates as he can. The honorable thing is for Trump to (finally!) start playing for the win and earn as many CA, OR, WA, NM delegates as he can, while also guaranteeing wins in the winner-take-all states where he is winning. Both honorable choices together leave the establishment (Kasich and his supporters) with the fewest possible delegates, and that is the critical point.
The most important issues to me are immigration, gun rights, Obamacare, and religious freedom. Cruz is better than 99% right on all four, and Trump is close to that level (not quite as strong as I'd like on the gay mafia and forcing to bake a custom gay cake in my view, but otherwise great). Those are the only two candidates who hold the right views on both issues, and I want what is best for a win on those issues - a Trump nomination, with Cruz in a strong position if Trump falls short.