FL Guv’s new spot says GOP opponent wants seniors to “work longer, get by on less.”

And Rubio responds:

10.05.10 | Crist Purposely Deceives Florida Seniors With New False Attack Ad

Crist Engages In Scare Tactics He Once Decried As “Disgusting”

Miami, FL – In his latest desperate attempt to say and do anything to win an election, Charlie Crist has launched a desperate false attack ad designed solely to mislead Florida voters and scare seniors about Marco Rubio’s Social Security position. The ad falsely claims that Rubio wants to cut Social Security benefits to “balance the budget on the backs of seniors.” This claim is demonstrably false. Crist knows that Rubio has pledged to protect and preserve Social Security for those who are at or near retirement. Indeed, Crist’s ad cites the Fox News Sunday Republican primary debate where Rubio specifically said that changes in Social Security were “off the table” for anyone at or near retirement.

Furthermore, Crist is engaging in the same Social Security scare tactics he once believed were “inexcusable,” “unethical,” “wrong,” and “disgusting.” When seniors received calls from the Lawton Chiles campaign accusing Jeb Bush of wanting to cut Social Security, Crist led the charge for a 1995 investigation, saying it was “inexcusable to try to scare and frighten senior citizens.” Now, it’s Charlie Crist himself who is using the same desperate tactics.

“Charlie Crist’s new ad is not only false, it also shows there’s no voter he won’t pander to and no senior he won’t scare just to win votes. Charlie Crist used to crusade against the senior scare tactics liberals used against Jeb Bush, but now that he’s trailing in the polls, desperate and lacking a serious Social Security plan, he’s adopted the same despicable tactics that are meant to deceive seniors and ultimately threaten Social Security’s future,” said Alex Burgos, Rubio for Senate spokesman.

While attacking Marco, “Crist’s plan on Social Security is: first, make the problem a little worse; then, sit back and watch nothing happen.” Crist’s only real Social Security plan is to grant amnesty to illegal immigrants but that has actually been debunked as an idea that would lead to Social Security’s bankruptcy sooner rather than later.

Jeb Bush responds:

Statement From Governor Jeb Bush On Charlie Crist's False Social Security Attack Ad
Miami, FL – Today, Governor Jeb Bush issued the following statement on Charlie Crist’s false Social Security attack ad:

“Charlie Crist should be ashamed of his false attack against Marco Rubio on Social Security. Charlie Crist is purposely trying to scare seniors in order to win votes.

“The fact is, Marco Rubio will protect Social Security. His own mother relies on Social Security and he has repeatedly stated that he would not support or propose any benefit reductions for current retirees or people who are close to retirement.

“Charlie Crist used to believe that scaring seniors to win votes was wrong. I know this first-hand because in 1995 he spoke out forcefully in my defense when the very same kind of false attacks were made against me. It is sad that he has become so enamored with winning political office that he has abandoned the very principles that steered him into public service in the first place. I am disappointed, but can’t say I am surprised.”