Cruz predicts he will eventually get Trump supporters

Ted Cruz now predicts that Donald Trump's presidential campaign will fall by the wayside -- and that he will pick up the billionaire's support.

“I think, in time, I don’t believe Donald is going to be the nominee,"  Cruz said during an interview with Rita Cosby on WABC radio. "And I think, in time, the lion’s share of his supporters end up with us."

The Texas senator, who has been very complimentary of Trump throughout the campaign, was careful to say that he likes and respects the current GOP front-runner. "I am glad he is in the race," Cruz said of Trump.

“I think his involvement has been tremendously helpful to my campaign, because it’s framed the central question of this primary ... 'who will stand up to Washington?' " Cruz said.

Cruz's comments came as his campaign announced that it had raised $12.2 million during the third quarter of the year, better than most of his GOP rivals.

The Trump discussion begins at the 12:00 mark of the audio.

From The New York Times:

"Last month, Mr. Cruz invited Mr. Trump to join in him at a rally against the Iran nuclear deal in Washington, and he has repeatedly praised him for shining the spotlight on important issues. The suggestion that he thinks Mr. Trump’s effort is ultimately doomed raises questions about how he will handle him at the next Republican presidential debate later this month.

Mr. Trump has so far also refrained from attacking Mr. Cruz. An avowed 'counterpuncher,' Mr. Trump has warned that he will hit back if Mr. Cruz is critical of him, or if he begins to creep higher in the polls."