DEBATE FACT #1: Crist Begins Debate With False Social Security Attacks

What Crist Said…

Crist begins with attacks that have been called “not true” and “just fear-mongering.”

The Facts About The Crist Record…

PolitiFact: “We Should Note That The Ad Also Says That Rubio Wants To ‘Balance The Budget On The Backs Of Seniors.’ That’s Not True.” (Aaron Sharockman, “Fact-Checking Marco Rubio’s Social Security Stance,” PolitiFact, 10/6/10)

National Review: “The Twisting Of The Truth Is Flagrant” In An Ad That Is “Just Fear-Mongering.” “Indeed, Rubio has tacitly supported elements of Rep. Paul Ryan’s ‘Roadmap,’ and said he wouldn’t change anything about the program for Americans aged 55 or older. The twisting of the truth is flagrant — especially when coupled with pictures of Crist mingling with retirees who are, by the looks of it, well over 55. Crist’s ad, then, is just fear-mongering.” (Kyle O. Peterson, “Marco Rubio Faces Down The Social Security Bogeyman,” National Review Online, 10/5/10)

The Weekly Standard: “Rank Dishonesty” In False Crist Social Security Attack Ad. “Given this context, and given Florida’s senior-heavy voting population, perhaps it’s not surprising that Crist would resort to highly misleading attack ads about Social Security. … Rank dishonesty. Rubio has said that he is open to raising the retirement age to preserve the viability of Social Security for younger Americans. But he has said repeatedly that he would not touch Social Security for current retirees – the target of Crists’s misleading ad. Indeed, in the very appearance that Crist cites as his source, Rubio said: ‘If you’re 55 years of age or older, or close enough to retirement — 55 is the number that [Paul Ryan’s Roadmap] plan uses — I think this is off the table. We’re not talking about you.’” (Stephen F. Hayes, “A Desperate Charlie Crist Dishonestly Attacks Rubio,” The Weekly Standard, 10/5/10)

CBS4’s Michael Williams: Crist’s Ad “Is Not ‘Exactly True.’” CRIST (TODAY): “Well unfortunately Mr. Rubio has said many times he wants to raise the age of eligibility for Social Security and cut benefits. It’s exactly true.” CBS’ MICHAEL WILLIAMS: “No, it is not exactly true. This is what Republican Marco Rubio said last month on ‘Face the Nation.’” RUBIO (VIDEO): “One, I don’t want to see any benefit reductions or changes for current retirees or people close to retirement. … Younger workers like myself, people thirty-nine years of age like I am, we’re going to have to accept that there’s going to be some changes to Social Security.” (CBS 4, Video, 10/5/10)

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