I think Cruz is announced to decide about the right wing extremists. Previous to "W" the Evangelical fringe was never the center of the party. "W" and Rove brought them along to insure the vote even though they had to undermine democracy by sabotaging Florida. The Evangelicals had money. They have always been their insurance since 1998.

If Cruz can pull the majority Evangelicals the Republicans can decide whether they can win without the money and votes.

The only sincere right wing candidate is the Preacher. Huckabee. He has already stated, if the Republican Party accepts Gay Marriage he is out of there.

Cruz will decide the fringe for the value it holds.