I can see the perspective, I just don't share it. Assuming the Clone makes up for the massive advantage Lao has in the neutral, and as such leaves them on equal footing/footsies in the neutral (which is a reach IMO but we'll give it to him), then Lao still wins out heavily on damage, as well as having better armour, AA, air-to-air/air-to-ground, faster advancing strings, INSANELY better oki and pressure. Sub-Zero does have a couple of options Lao doesn't but it just isn't enough considering how heavily he converts from ALL the advantages he has.
I also agree that multiple characters go even with Tempest, especially after the latest patch. However, I do not believe that GM is one of them at all.