They just don’t understand that losing the OTHER way is just a huge a possibility as what they fear will happen if Trump is the nominee:
As Trump cements his front-runner status, senior party figures are moving away from the idea of defeating him outright. At this point, they hope to deny him enough delegates to clinch the nomination, which would give them the chance to choose a compromise candidate at their July convention in Cleveland.
The last time that happened at a Republican convention was in 1948 when Thomas Dewey was nominated. Cruz said that scenario was unacceptable this year. “If the Washington dealmakers try to steal the nomination from the people, I think it would be a disaster. It would cause a revolt,” the senator from Texas told reporters in Maine.
The GOPe is COUNTING on the fact that their time old tactic will be in force again:

