I have talked to many lifelong conservatives. Many will stay home.
I reckon and have for some time, that Cruz supporters have viewed him as a “messiah”.
If you are in that circle, then I imagine you are correct, many of that type will stay home.
Better not to vote for someone if their “messiah” isn’t on the ticket.
Easier to stand by and scream “I told you so” after every mistake Trump will surely make (all humans make mistakes... messiah’s don’t)
Gives you that feeling of smugness you just can’t get from anywhere else.