Regardless of how embarrassing he is to the GOP, they need his followers to come out and vote for the sake of their down-ballot candidates. If the low-life Right gets the impression that the Republican Establishment has dissed their poster boy they might not show up and vote for State and Local candidates, and that could be disastrous for Conservative ambitions in the long run.

Of course, some useful fiction could be introduced, such as a Trumped-up health excuse. That might even get them some sympathy votes. But does the GOP really want Mr Pence to carry their banner? I suspect that whatever happens, Mr Cruz will play a big role in making it come about, and he will be the major beneficiary of it. His recent attempts to get right with the Right speak volumes.

One puzzling observation, have you noticed how no one seems to be talking about Obamacare any more? Hmmmmmmmmm.......