Is Kasich basically playing chicken with Rubio?

[TJ in Oregon]

Kasich is a great candidate on paper,  and even a much-improved one in front of a camera, but he has no chance at securing the nomination at this point. I don't think Cruz even has a realistic shot at the nomination at this point. Furthermore, he's probably alienated too many Republicans to stop Trump one-on-one at this point too, not that I wouldn't enthusiastically support him given the opportunity.

It does begin to depend on what Kasich wants to do. 46 states have still yet to vote, something I'm sure Kasich is willing to point out. Yet the nature of primaries makes early wins begin to build momentum quickly, so he would need to act within the next three weeks if he does want to salvage the party from destruction. Kasich, at least, has not openly dropped dignity and bowed to the feet of the enemy yet, which cannot be said for all establishment apparatchicks. If the party does survive the next year, a  purge is necessary for all those in the establishment who have cravenly sought their own self-interest and did so during this fight, such as Gov. Branstad.