It's time.
He can do exactly what you said and still have a future.
Yes, it’s time, and that comes from one who not too long ago was backing Cruz. I still like him more in some ways, but Trump clearly has what it takes to get people behind him, without which an agenda goes nowhere.
Also, if he graciously exits and backs Trump now, then Kasich HAS to get out.
One thing puzzles me though - which was Cruz’s idiotic idea to prematurely name Carly as VP. Given her feud with Trump. it would seem that he closed the door on the strategy we’ve discussed...unless he got her to go long with that beforehand if their ploy didn’t work, or (more likely perhaps) he doesn’t mind leaving her foaming at the mouth and hanging her out to dry if/when he goes down the Trump-support exit-strategy road.