DEBATE FACT #4: Crist Has Held Numerous Positions On ObamaCare

What Crist Said…

Tonight, he said ObamaCare was wrong but he’s held numerous positions on the Obama health care law.

The Facts About The Crist Record…

Position #1: Crist Called For Repeal The Night The House Passed The Health Care Bill. “Crist, a Republican who was in Tampa tonight attending the closing ceremony for the Gasparilla International Film Festival, said he hopes to get elected senator in November to help repeal the bill and bring a commonsense approach to healthcare reform.” (“Crist Hopes To Repeal Health Care Legislation,” The Associated Press, 3/21/10)

Position #2: In July 2010, Crist Tells The Wall Street Journal That He Does Not Support Repealing ObamaCare. “Mr. Crist has made other policy shifts. Despite pledging as a Republican to help repeal President Obama’s health-care overhaul, Mr. Crist now says he does not support such a move.” (Peter Wallsten, “Crist Uses Old Party As New Foil,” The Wall Street Journal, 7/20/10)

Position #3: Crist Tells Wall Street Journal That Those Calling For Repeal Are Only Giving Into The Primary “Purity Test”. Q: When the bill passed, you called for its repeal. A: “Well, I wanted it to be changed….. People get caught up in, ‘I’m going to say it’s going to be repealed’ like they’re hammering their fist on the desk and be impressed with themselves. That’s part of the purity test.” Q: Is that an example of something you had to do in the primary campaign as a Republican? A: “Perhaps. And I just don’t have to do that anymore. I’m liberated to a greater degree, and I’m very happy about it.” (Peter Wallsten, “Q&A With Charlie Crist,” The Wall Street Journal’s “Washington Wire” Blog, 7/20/10)

Position #4: Crist Says His Position On ObamaCare Has Been “Confused” And He Does Support “Repeal”. “FACT CHECK: Recent reports in the media have confused my position on the Obama health care bill. The Obama health care bill was too big, too expensive, and expanded the role of government far too much. Had I been in the United States Senate at the time, I would have voted against the bill because of unacceptable provisions like the cuts to the Medicare Advantage program. … Repeal must be accompanied by a responsible substitute — repeal without passage of a substitute law protecting those with pre-existing conditions, closing the prescription drug donut hole for seniors, and allowing parents to keep their children on their insurance coverage until age 26 would be wrong.” (Charlie Crist, “My Position, The Obama Health Care Bill”, http://www.charliecrist.com/?p=306, 7/29/10)

Position #5: At 12 P.M. On August 27, 2010, Crist Said “I Would Have Voted For” ObamaCare. ANCHOR: “Health care bill, how would you have voted on that?” CRIST: “I would have voted for it but I think it can be done better. I really do.” (CFLN, 8/27/10)

Position #6: At 2:00 P.M. On August 27, 2010, Crist Said He “Misspoke” And Still Wants To Repeal ObamaCare. “Gov. Charlie Crist said Friday he would have voted for President Barack Obama’s health care bill – only to retract his statement two hours later. … The warp speed flip-flop is the latest example of how Crist is shifting his stances as he gets pressure from Rubio on the right and Meek on the left in the unusual three-way race. And it’s not the first time Crist has backpedaled on the federal health care law.” (John Frank, “Crist Flip-Flops On Health Care Law Again,” St. Petersburg Times, 8/27/10)

Position #7: Crist Refuses To Reiterate Support For Repealing ObamaCare And Only Says “We Need To Fix It.” CNN’S ED HENRY: “The bottom line though on health care is that you have flipped on the repeal question. You once said that you would repeal the President’s health plan. You’re now saying I don’t like all of it, but you would keep it, you would try to amend it if you were elected to the Senate, isn’t that right? You have backed off saying you would repeal the plan?” CRIST: “Well, whatever word you want to use, what we need to fix it, and we need to go forward. This is about what’s doing right for the people. This election is about the future.” (CNN’s “State Of The Union,” 8/29/10)

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