Posted on 07/28/2010 7:54:38 AM PDT by luckybogey
U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston has endorsed former House colleague Nathan Deal for governor.
Runner-up in the July 20 Republican primary, Deal faces the top vote getter, former Secretary of State Karen Handel, in an Aug. 10 runoff.
Earlier, Kingston, a Savannah Republican, had supported his longtime friend and ally Eric Johnson, a former Savannah state senator. Johnson ran third in the seven-way primary.
"For those who supported Eric Johnson," Kingston said, "Nathan is the natural fit for the ... runoff."
He praised Deal's record on taxes, immigration and curbing Medicaid fraud, as well as his "perfect" score from the American Conservative Union
"Kingston is known and trusted in Southeast Georgia and his endorsement carries a lot of weight," said Deal spokesman Brian Robinson.
It also signals Chatham County and nearby areas Johnson carried that conservatives are re-aligning behind Deal, Robinson said.
Robert Eisinger, dean of the School of Liberal Arts at the Savannah College of Art and Design, said Kingston's blessing could help Deal if the runoff is close.
"Kingston is a respected conservative and Republican locally," said Eisinger, a former political science professor.
"Those who know him may think that, if Kingston is behind Nathan Deal, then 'Deal is my man.'"
He questioned whether many supporters of Johnson - yet to back Deal or Handel - will assume the endorsement implies Johnson's support.
"That's pretty inside baseball," he said...
(Excerpt) Read more at savannahnow.com ...
I just spent a week in Atlanta visiting relatives. I’m not completely up on the gubernatorial race in GA, but heard some things that made Deal sound like the prototypical RINO-which is the better choice IYHO, Deal or Handel?
Handel is too liberal for me. She favors gay rights!
I am supporting Nathan Deal...
(Sarah Palin missed this one...)
BTW - I live in the ATL burbs...
JMHO....
There is not an METRO ATL versus "rest of the state" mentality --
I was glad to support Johnson in the primary.
Congressman Deal wrote Obama and asked for a certified copy of Obama’s birth certificate because many of his constituents expressed doubt Obama was born in the U.S.
Obama didn’t respond.
I will vote for Deal although I believe Handel will win the runoff and also will win against King Roy in Nov.
As far as Handel’s support for the LOG Cabins, she clearly gave money to their organization however I believe she is a RINO and will say anything to get elected.
I’m also really disappointed by Palin’s support for another RINO.
Nathan Deal has been my congressman for many years. He has been a consistent conservative vote since I can remember. He was “tea party” before tea party came about. I will vote for him and support him in his governor’s race.
Deal represented my district for years and did a good job. No way I won’t vote for him on Aug 10th.
Why are all you voting for a corrupt politician? Deal’s ethics hardly represent conservative values.
I’m not from Georgia, but I wouldn’t trust Deal. He is a former rat, who switched in 1995, after Republicans took over. Seen too many of these types turn around and stab us in the back.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.