If the cabal knew or suspected that POTUS would take them down if he won the election (and that was surely apparent from the speeches), even assuming the cabal believed they would win the election (by fraud or blackmail or other "insurance") – why would the cabal take even the most miniscule of risks and steer POTUS towards the nomination when there were many R potential or acutal presidential candidates who were on board with the cabal? It would be playing with fire. I know they're stupid, but seriously, why would the cabal effectively invite their arch-nemesis to the finals of the presidential competition?