The GOP has to relearn Reagan's Eleventh Commandment. We can never win in the General election if our nominee gets there by destroying the other candidates. This should have been learned in 2008, but it wasn't so 2012 happened. We'll see if the lesson has sunk in yet. I'm sure neither Bush nor Christie "gets it," and if either of these two ever get serious traction they'll spend all their money destroying the rest of the field, thus handing victory to whomever the Dems run.
There was a heated discussion a few days ago, over the terms "rino" and "gope," and name calling in general.
There is a narrow but deep faction, who pretty much thinks they know better than Reagan's 11th Commandment.
My wife (47+ years) has said often said to me: "It is not what you say, but how you say it."
Reagan, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama had rhetorical gifts, which enabled them to persuade, convince, convert listeners. And that is the art of winning elections.
Cruz has proven he can woo those who already love him. Remaining to be proved is whether he can woo those who don't already love him. And that is the art of winning elections.
BTW elections are won and lost by swings within about 10 percent of the electorate. Both sides go in with 40-45 percent already decided.
Followers calling each other names, tends to not be an attractive characteristic, and it reflects on the candidate.
The undecided middle-of-the-road likely voter, is the key to winning in 2016.
