Both Ann and Trumpbart should know better. There are FIFTY separate state parties, whose rules are set BY the party that is elected in that state. The system is designed PURPOSEFULLY to require someone to demonstrate their ability to run a campaign. Because in the general election there will be FIFTY states with their own election laws that have to be followed too.
The other advantage to a state party setting it up so that those who actually WORK in the party have a small part of the influence, because they are on the boards, chairmanships, treasurers, etc....of each county, is that these are the people who will be working the general election. And without their work, many people do not get to the polls. So, almost each state requires you to win at three levels. Trump has ignored this at his own peril. Cruz learned it quickly. (He had only run ONE previous campaign,) but he did out organize 16 other people in this election.
Trump stood on the national stage and excused his three bankruptcies as "I just used the rules!" Well, that really stunk for the people he screwed out of all that money. Now, when the rules have been too complex for him to get his tiny hands around, he does not care about the rules? No sympathy from me, sorry.
Remember, if he wins outright, he wins. And he just might. But, Cruz has been smart enough to play on every field. And he did not have to tell me how smart he is. It is obvious. Trump may need to tell me a little louder. Frankly, I think no one is more surprised than he is that he made it this far. If he had thought he was going to he would have built a campaign. Cruz clearly thought he would make it this far, because he DID build a campaign and it is a strong one that will be ready for the general election. We have a chance to win that election, but I do not believe it is with Mr. Trump. And he is not even a conservative. He is a populist and I am fearful of a government that goes whatever way the wind blows on any given day.