Despite his repeated insistence that he’s not a villain for continuing to support the National Rifles Association (NRA) after the mass high school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Valentine’s Day, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio’s popularity has plummeted to an all-time low.
Quinnipiac University released the results to a new poll conducted between February 23-26 on Tuesday. The results show that the senator’s approval rating has decreased eight points — from 46% to 38% — since voters were last surveyed in July 2016.
His disapproval rating jumped 10 points from 43% to 53%. As one would expect for a GOP legislator, his support mainly comes from Republicans, men, whites, and people above the age of 35.
Rubio has found himself practically drowning under a wave of backlash after he, along with a long list of other pro-gun Republicans, posted generic condolence messages, usually sending their thoughts and prayers.
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Countless posts listing the dollar amounts Rubio and his ilk have received in NRA donations have gone gone viral, and with survivors of the shooting not letting the GOP shift the narrative as the party usually does, Republicans are facing pressure much more intense than they’re used to after mass shootings.
Rubio, who’s received $3,303,455 from the NRA throughout his career, doubled down on his pro-gun stance after the tragedy.”The positions I hold on these issues of the Second Amendment, I’ve held since the day I entered office in the city of West Miami as an elected official,” he said during a town hall hosted by CNN, in which legislators answered questions from survivors. “People buy into my agenda, and I do support the Second Amendment.”
When asked if, in the name of the 17 victims, he would refuse future donations from the NRA, he sidestepped the question. “I think in the name of 17 people, I can pledge to you that I will support any law that will prevent a killer like this from getting a gun,” he said. “There’s money on both sides of every issue in America. I will always accept the help of anyone who agrees with my agenda.”
He was met with loud jeers and heckles from the crowd.
Given that support for stricter gun control laws is currently at an all-time high — 66% of Americans are in favor of more restrictions, a huge jump from the 47% held that stance in 2015 — Rubio and other Republicans are only damaging themselves.
