DEBATE FACT #6: Crist Did Falsely Say Robert Reich “Supported” His Plan

What Crist Said…

That he never said Robert Reich “supported” his amnesty for Social Security plan, but he actually did and at the last debate no less.

The Facts About The Crist Record…

Crist Said At The Last Debate That Robert Reich Supported His Plan. CRIST: “I’ve also offered a plan that can help (fix Social Security) that’s supported by Robert Reich, secretary of labor previously, in a previous administration.” (Aaron Sharockman, “Charlie Crist Says Social Security Plan Embraced By Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich,” St. Petersburg Times’ “PolitiFact,” 10/18/10)

But In A Recent Interview, Robert Reich Says That He Never Proposed Anything Like Crist’s Plan To Grant Amnesty For Social Security. “In selling the idea that a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants could bolster Social Security, Charlie Crist has repeatedly name-dropped Robert Reich, who served as Secretary of Labor under Bill Clinton, to lend the proposal legitimacy. … But if you ask Robert Reich, it’s apparent that he doesn’t know where Crist could have gotten such an idea. ‘I’ve said we’ll have to increase legal immigration in order to secure the Social Security of boomers (otherwise, the ratio of working population to retirees gets too far out of whack), but don’t recall saying anything more,’ Reich told Battle ‘10 in an email.” (Kyle O. Peterson, “Robert Reich Does Not, In Fact, Back Charlie Crist’s Plan To Save Social Security,” National Review Online, 10/18/10)

PolitiFact: Crist’s Claim That His Plan To Grant Amnesty For Social Security Is Supported By Robert Reich Is “False.” “In an ABC News debate, Crist said his plan to help preserve Social Security — to have illegal workers earn a path to citizenship — was supported by former Clinton labor secretary Robert Reich. But Reich hasn’t taken a side on that issue. Reich proposes allowing increased legal immigration to add more workers for each retiree, which is different. We rate Crist’s claim False.” (Aaron Sharockman, “Charlie Crist Says Social Security Plan Embraced By Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich,” St. Petersburg Times’ “PolitiFact,” 10/18/10)

·         PolitiFact: “Unlike Crist, Reich’s comments do not address illegal workers. Rather, his point is to allow more people to legally immigrate to the United States. That’s different from what Crist is saying.” (Aaron Sharockman, “Charlie Crist Says Social Security Plan Embraced By Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich,” St. Petersburg Times’ “PolitiFact,” 10/18/10)

National Review: “It’s Dishonest For Crist To Drop His Name And Suggest His Backing On Statewide Television.” “Providing a path to citizenship is a complex issue, and Reich may or may not support such a move – he doesn’t say. But it’s dishonest for Crist to drop his name and suggest his backing on statewide television, based on nothing more than a misreading of one newspaper column.” (Kyle O. Peterson, “Robert Reich Does Not, In Fact, Back Charlie Crist’s Plan To Save Social Security,” National Review Online, 10/18/10)

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