He’s viewed as a RINO HERE at FR because of immigration, which is the #1 paramount issue for a lot of freepers and has been for a long time, he was well liked as the Crist slayer until he signed on to the gang of 8.
Jon Kyl was treated the same way, remember that “Jorge Bush” Juan McCain” “Juan Kyl” cartoon picture of the 3 them in Mexican garb? Kyl’s record was among the best in the Senate but he was involved in trying to pass shamnesty under Bush so he became tainted here. His successor Jeff Flake is likewise much more conservative that McCain, but signed on to the gang of 8 so is oft mentioned in the same breath as him.
There is a tendency toward hyperbole whist criticizing Republicans here. And organizations, the Chamber of Commerce spend millions defeating democrat swine and are right on most issues but they favor shamnesty so some freepers talk about them as if they were NAMBLA and that opening the border was their raison d’etre. Some take the view that if you aren’t strong on immigration you may as well be a commie cause we’re doomed if strong action isn’t taken.
Not to say people aren’t justified in being p*ssed off at Senators and groups for being wrong on immigration, which is at or the near the top of the list of most critical issues. But I try to keep perspective.
I guess what I sense about Rubio is that he really isn't "known" for anything . . . other than Gang of Eight. If he had all these great positions, where was he on leadership? Why did it take a Trump to say "halt Muslim immigration?" Why didn't Rubio kill the Iran deal, or line up forces to do so?