Ahhh...so when Bob Dole (about as establishment as it gets) supports him as "someone we can deal with" that's just them not knowing anything, it's not that they understand that Trump has no actual principles that will hold him to any position, so he'll be free to cut a deal.
The establishment dislikes Trump, but know they can deal with him. They fear Cruz, because they know he actually has principles, something Trump is wholly unencumbered by.
Cruz's main problems are 1) he's disliked in the Senate and 2) he is so far Right he is the equivalent of Bernie just 180 degrees the other way.
After 7 years of an extremist in the oval office, the public is sick and tired. The voter anger is at all time highs. People are sick and tired of a weak dick Republican led Congress and Senate that constantly caves in to the left. They are sick and tired of "political correctness" that basically has the career politicians having to watch each and every word they utter. They are sick and tired of the extremist wanting reparations for every fucking perceived wrong that has (or has not) happened in the last 3 centuries. They are sick and tired of watching our borders thrown wide open inviting everyone to cross without fear and then move to "sanctuary cities" and immediately get on public assistance.
And the list goes on and on.
Yes, the DNC wants desperately for a Bush, Rubio or Cruz nomination because they know the Clinton machine will wipe them out. That's why I laugh every time someone utters "unelectable" in reference to a republican candidate because it comes straight from Debbie Wasserman Schults lips.