SARASOTA, Florida—Newt Gingrich says that between helping President Ronald Reagan pass tax reform to passing welfare reform as Speaker of the House he has helped create a staggering 27 million jobs.
"I have participated in 27 million additional jobs created by the American people, and we are unleashed the American people to rebuild the country we love," he said at a packed rally with over 2,500 supporters.
Mitt Romney has already targeted Gingrich claiming credit for Reagan's successes, noting he was in Congress for just two years when he took over the Oval Office.
"That’d be like saying 435 members of Congress are all responsible for those jobs," Romney said in South Carolina last week. "Government doesn’t create jobs. It’s the private sector that creates jobs. [applause] Now, Congressmen taking responsibility or taking credit for helping to create jobs is like Al Gore taking credit for the Internet. [laughter] Look, you’re the guys who create jobs — who put Americans to work."