My thoughts. They think they can cheat the primaries because they know there is nothing they can do if Trump gets the bid. They have to stop him sooner.
Sounds like your friend has a brain. There is hope for them. It's a good question. Not saying that there isn't a good answer, but I don't really know how all that works.
Sorry to hear, but good on you. So many have made the easy choice. The wrong choice. You are lucky to know the consequences. The hard choices lead to enrichment.
I will be honest, I tend to roll my eyes when I see that question posited. However, this raises my eyebrows, not my eyes. Interesting.