First, I hated " the pledge" between the candidates on getting there support. But, Cruz signed it, then backed out. Sorry, but I don't think his strategy was brilliant. I believe Cruz, as probably most of the other potential candidates, didn't believe trump would never garner the nomination.
He was underestimated by all of them. He is the only candidate willing to tell the American people the country is rigged. Hell, he even admitted he participated, then made the point it's why he can fix it. He basically said the same thing during the first debate but most people didn't pick up on it because they are too intellectually involved in Fox News telling them trump couldn't possibly have a conservative bone because he had dealings with the clintons. No, he was telling us he played the rigged game, the clintons were ass deep in it and he did what he had to do to be successful. Frankly, there is no one better qualified to call Hillary by what she is. He lived it.
I'm not sure who is trustworthy.....but again, I watched his family climb out on that limb for him. Maybe they felt obligated but maybe they are as keen and smart as they appeared.