The difference being Obama’s fans would not care, but Christian conservatives would stay home if they knew Marco had a gay/bi past.
This certainly has to be common knowledge among the GOP establishment. So evidently they don’t care that Rubio could be subject to blackmail, and they don’t think that their own voters should be aware of this aspect of Rubio’s character.
It’s hardly the first time for the GOPe. I recall how Hugh Hewitt never let on to his audience about David Dreier’s predilections, knowing that it would lessen support for the GOP. Makes you wonder just how widespread ass piracy is among the GOP upper ranks.