The GOP needs a true conservative like Cruz! Even if he loses by half of those 26 points it's still humiliation on a national stage.
If Cruz is the nominee and loses, it will be fascinating to see what replaces the "our candidate wasn't conservative enough!" narrative.
Nothing will replace it, they'll say the same thing about Cruz. Remember, back in November they were saying Ken Cuccinelli lost because he wasn't conservative enough.
Also, if these type of numbers hold up later into the year/early 2015, the Democratic establishment is not going to let Hillary NOT run.