Let's pretend that Trump's sail loses its wind, and the GOP nomination to go against Clinton comes down to Rubio vs Cruz. I don't say that because I don't like Trump, nor that he couldn't win against Clinton. I'm predicating this conjecture on that fact that Trump really isn't a Conservative. He's alot of things, and saying all the right things to win him the GOP nomination, but his track record is hardly one of conservative, minimalistic-government principles
So, putting aside their looks, or how they talk, since neither is an issue to their electability, the 2 of them bring to the table 2 forms of conservatism. One that has the DC power structure scared snotless, the other a likely more electable candidate, still guranteeing a conservative Republican in the WH, come Nov
For those who think Cruz can't win, have another thing coming. The reality is that Cruz can win, but if he wins DC lobbyists and politicians attacking him will be out of a job, which is why they hate even the thought of a Cruz Presidency. The Washington elite have every incentive to stop Cruz because he would be just as transformational as Obama has been, though his path to victory may be harder than Rubio's.
For critics of Rubio, he is seen as not going far enough, to reign in DC's power grab. So while reality is that Rubio may have an easier time winning, than Cruz, his critics do not believe he will go far enough and do as much to fix the problems in Washington.
Cruz and Rubio would both be conservative to varying degrees. What is at stake between the two is how easy their election would be vs how transformational their presidency would be. Rubio backers are looking at the path to the White House. Cruz backers are willing to take a gamble on the slog of a general election campaign so they can see Washington rent asunder
Either would be a stellar step in repairing the massive damage Obama's socialist-light policies have rendered upon this country