So as we all know, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R. FL) is a terrible person:
In a speech laden with scripture, Republican Sen. Marco Rubio on Friday compelled church leaders at a conference here to “abandon the spirit of judgment” against LGBT neighbors. The remarks came on the two-month anniversary of a shooting at the Pulse night club located about 10 miles from the religious gathering.
But civil rights organizations, which had criticized Rubio for attending a gathering featuring some notable anti-LGBT speakers, said the speech would not erase the Florida senator’s “dismal” record on issues important to the community.
Rubio was the headline speaker for The American Renewal Project’s two-day event in Orlando, and on Friday devoted much of a 30-minute speech to encouraging preachers to create an accepting environment free of discrimination. “In order to love people, we have to listen to them,” he said. “When it comes to our brothers and our sisters, our fellow Americans, our neighbors in the LGBT community, we should recognize that our nation, while the greatest nation in the history of mankind, is one with a history that has been marred by the discrimination against and the rejection of gays and lesbians.”
He also emphasized his continued opposition to marriage equality, saying his faith called for the elevation of the “union of one man and one woman.” But he said Christian leaders should understand many gays and lesbians felt “angry and humiliated” that the law until recently did not recognize their own loving relationships. “Many have experienced sometimes severe condemnation and judgment from some Christians,” Rubio said. “They have heard some say that the reason God will bring condemnation on America is because of them. As if somehow God was willing to put up with adultery and gluttony and greed and pride, but now this is the last straw.”
And Rubio is getting slammed over this:
The mother of one of the Pulse nightclub victims has spoken up on U.S. Senator Marco Rubio's anti-LGBT conference appearance.
Rubio delivered the keynote address at the "Rediscovering God in America" conference two months after the gun massacre at Pulse nightclub in Orlando. Christine Leinonen spoke to Washington Blade in Saturday's report where she expressed her shock that Rubio would do this after the tragedy at the gay club.
Leinonen's son Chris and his fiance, Juan Guerrero, were two of the 49 victims who died at the club.
The mother mentioned how "infuriating" it is that Rubio wouldn't express empathy over the massacre and do what he can to ensure safety in the future.
"He didn't feel our pain enough or long enough to make some real action that we can live in a safer society," Leinonen said. "He didn't do that and that's what he's elected to do."
Leinone endorsed politician Hillary Clinton at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. She also reportedly joined the board of directors for the LGBT action committee The Pride to End Gun Violence. Rubio has apparently endorsed Donald Trump.
It’s looking like Rubio is going to be the GOP nominee for the U.S. Senate again but Carlos “Mini-Trump” Beruff (R. FL) isn’t backing out:
A new ad released by Manatee County Home Builder Carlos Beruff, in the Florida Senate race Monday, says incumbent GOP Senator Marco Rubio “wasn’t there” in the years after taking office in 2010.
The spot features testimonials from some voters who admit liking Rubio after he was first elected but were disappointed at his performance after he got to Washington. “The majority of the time when key issues were being voted on, he wasn’t there. says one of the speakers.
Of course it remains to be seen what type of traction Beruff will make before the 30th:
Rubio has largely refused to engage with Beruff, declining debate challenges and focusing energy toward the general election against a Democratic challenger. In July, America Rising, a Republican outside group allied with Rubio, began dispatching a tracker to follow Beruff to every public appearance with a video camera, a sign that Rubio isn't entirely writing off his challenger.
Meanwhile, a pro-Rubio super PAC called the Florida First Project produced an ad attacking Beruff for supporting former Florida Republican Gov. Charlie Crist, who has since switched parties and become a Democrat.
A Rubio campaign spokeswoman said in a statement that the senator is the candidate best positioned to overcome the Democratic candidate in the fall.
"The future of the Supreme Court, the Iran deal and the economy hinge on a conservative Senate," Rubio campaign spokeswoman Olivia Perez-Cubas said. "The direction of this country over the next six years could all come down to Florida's Senate race, and Marco is the only Republican who can win."
So far, this has not deterred Beruff, who continues to hammer Rubio regularly with a series of ad campaigns and media outreach.
What is clear is that we have to defeat Rubio in November. Click here to donate and get involved with Rep. Patrick Murphy’s (D. FL) U.S. Senate campaign.