Handel concedes GOP nomination for governor to Deal
Update 2:49 p.m.: Gov. Sonny Perdue has now weighed in as well. While it was long rumored that he would support Karen Handel for the nomination, the outgoing governor stayed cautiously on the sidelines in the primary and the runoff. Now, he’s welcoming Deal to the fold.
Here’s his statement:
“Our Republican family has nominated an outstanding candidate for Governor.
“Nathan Deal has worked tirelessly to represent our Georgia values in Washington against the forced liberal agenda pushed by Roy Barnes’ allies such as Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and John Edwards. The refusal of those leaders to listen to the will of the people on critical issues such as out-of-control spending and health care mandates simply reminds Georgians about the way Barnes ruled imperially here before 2003.
“In contrast, Nathan is a common-sense conservative who has consistently represented the principles and beliefs of our state’s citizens. Unlike his opponent, Nathan Deal listens first and talks second. Now it is time for our family to come together and keep Georgia moving forward.”
Original post:
Yesterday, Karen Handel called Nathan Deal a “corrupt relic of Washington.” Today, however, Handel said she is endorsing him as the GOP nominee for governor.
In a statement just released from the Handel campaign, she said she called Deal this morning to concede the nomination.The November ballot is now set. Deal will represent the GOP and face Democrat Roy Barnes and Libertarian John Monds.
Deal spokesman Brian Robinson said that U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, R-Ga., coordinated the phone call between Handel and Deal.
“They had a very good talk,” Robinson said. “Nathan congratulated her on a great campaign. She told him that she would not ask for a recount and that she would be on board to help the party to victory in November.”
Deal, Robinson said, “thanked her for her graciousness and said he looked forward to meeting with her in person.We thank her for putting the party first and saving us a lot of heartache. She has shown that she is putting Georgia first and we are greatly appreciative of her selflessness in this situation.”
Barnes issued a statement Wednesday at noon congratulating Deal.
“But it doesn’t matter who my opponent is, this election is about the serious issues facing all Georgians, not the out-of-state endorsements and sideline issues that the other team has used to divide voters,” Barnes said in a statement.
Earlier Wednesday, Deal appeared at a GOP “unity breakfast” in Buckhead, but Handel did not. But her statement this morning is clearly aimed at healing a party battered by months of a tough primary campaign and a brutal three-week runoff. Barnes, meanwhile, cruised to victory over six other opponents in the Democratic primary. While other Democrats, particularly House Minority Leader DuBose Porter, D-Dublin, took their shots at Barnes, that contest never reached the level of contention the GOP race.
AJC photographer John Spink said the room at the GOP breakfast was packed with at least 200 people. The GOP faithful warned that Barnes, the Democrat who lost to Sonny Perdue eight years ago, has wasted no time in launching an ad campaign against Republicans.
The event at 103 West on West Paces Ferry Road had the feel of a convention, with both winners and losers in Tuesday’s runoff encouraging the party to stay together to defeat Barnes in November.
Deal was one of the last speakers at the breakfast. He had already made the rounds at TV studios, where he expressed “cautious optimism” that he will be named the winner. At the breakfast, however, Deal spoke more confidently that he would prevail.
Deal called Handel, who did not attend the breakfast, a “worthy opponent.”
Although Deal was the most prominent candidate at the event, the one getting one of the longest standing ovations was state Rep. Melvin Everson, an African-American lawmaker who campaigned for labor commissioner but lost to state Rep. Mark Butler in the July 20 primary.
Everson brought the crowd to its feet after calling for party unity and then introducing his primary opponent. Butler will face Democrat Darryl Hicks in the November election.
Handel and Deal ended Tuesday night’s runoff election separated by fewer than 2,500 votes, or .04 percent. An unknown number of absentee ballots and overseas military votes had yet to be counted, but Handel said the “best thing for our party is to rally around” Deal and fight Democratic nominee Roy Barnes.
Here is Handel’s full statement:
“I want to thank all of my friends, supporters, volunteers and my campaign team for a tremendous effort over the last 16 months. We ran a terrific campaign, beat the odds to come in first place in the Primary, and came so very close in the runoff election.
“As of this morning, we are four tenths of a percentage point behind Nathan Deal with absentee ballots and overseas military votes yet to be counted.
“We certainly have the option of requesting the automatic statewide recount. But we are not going to do that.
“The best thing for our party is to rally around Congressman Deal as our nominee in the fight against Roy Barnes. Barnes would return Georgia to a past that is best kept in our rearview mirror. We must marshal all of our resources to defeat him.
“I spoke with Nathan this morning and let him know that I endorse his candidacy and look forward to the fight against Barnes. I have also called on all who were supporting me to give their same commitment and energy to Nathan.
I thank the people of Georgia for the opportunity to serve them and for allowing me to interview for the job of Governor. This was an amazing journey, and the friendships that Steve and I made enriched our lives immeasurably. I look forward to finding a way to serve this great state in the future.”
Republicans around the country are now weighing in. Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele said in a statement that “there is no doubt that Georgians will rally behind the pro-growth, limited government agenda of Nathan Deal.”
State Republican Party chairwoman Sue Everhart, meanwhile, congratulated Deal.
“In this time of economic uncertainty when each Georgian is concerned about their future, it is important that we elect leaders that understand solutions won’t come from more government bureaucracy, debt and taxes. Congressman Deal will partner with Georgians as we move our state forward,” Everhart said in a statement.
The Republican Governors Association also commended the candidates.
“Nathan Deal brings a strong conservative voice to the race for governor,” RGA political director Paul Bennecke said in a statement.
Democrats, too, responded. Nathan Daschle, executive director of the Democratic Governors Association said Deal can’t be called a “winner.”
“A vicious runoff and the narrowest of margins produced the worst possible nominee in Georgia: a corrupt Washington insider,” Daschle said in a statement.”
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474 comments Add your comment
Cedric
August 11th, 2010
12:02 pm
OH boy! King Roy or the Republican machine led by a representative of morally questionable Gingrich. Reminds me of Obama-McCain: no qualified choice. Aside from a viable 3rd party choice, why vote? It looks like some constructive anarchy is in order.
Paddy O
August 11th, 2010
12:02 pm
katie – I assume you have seen the speech by Obummer about republicans and keys? This is the change the Anointed one was pushing, or was that just campaign drivel?
kkong
August 11th, 2010
12:02 pm
But wait…Handel said Deal was a corrupt, career politician….but now endorses him for governor. What? I don’t understand.
Walt
August 11th, 2010
12:02 pm
I could not believe when OBAMA was elected,notice I did not include Prez. I now know the reason he was elected is some people believed his message of change you can believe in. Most intellegent, educated people know it was all a smokescreen and they made the mistake of voting for someone who is good with the teleprompter and cannot keep promises he made during his campaign.
That being said, I really do not believe Barnes has a “snowball in hells chance” of beating the REAL DEAL.Sorry Charlie.
CJ
August 11th, 2010
12:02 pm
Katie says “Great. It appears the American people are realizing how discredible the tea party, Palin, Bachman, Angle, Paul etc are. We most certainly do not need people who support and push hate, anger, fear mongering, distort, lie and spread propaganda”; I’m sorry but isnt that a page from the democrats playbook? What an Obamabot!
Rock
August 11th, 2010
12:03 pm
GREAT!!! SHE LOST!!! SO Much for Sarah Plain’s support. Two misfit females wanna be important!!! Now defeat the FAKE DEAL!!
Kevin
August 11th, 2010
12:05 pm
If this represents the best the Georgia GOP can serve up, I guess I’ll be sitting this one out.
I would have supported one of the GOP candidates until they tried to see who could demonize gays the most. In the end, my stomach was turned on both of them. The GOP needs to realize FAST to focus on economic issues and not drive people aways with their divisive views on social issues.
Oh yea, one other thing. With Deal winning the nomination, we can all get used to saying “Governor Barnes” again.
Truth
August 11th, 2010
12:05 pm
Good luck Georgia because you are going to need it. The eyes were on you and you let America down. You could have been seen as a leader but now all the newspaper will print that Georgia went with the good old boy establishment republican. Do you think if the shoe was on the other foot that Deal would have conceded without throwing a fit first.
He had already said he would not endorse Handle.
Today is a sad day for America.
Get ready for Governor elect Barnes
WTF
August 11th, 2010
12:05 pm
Great. Now we don’t have to hear about Palin stumping for anyone in Georgia until she sees it as a good political move to back Deal in order to keep her name in the spotlight. People who have no bearing on my state should just stay away and allow Georgians to make our own decisions.
Kevin
August 11th, 2010
12:06 pm
My dearest Katie-
You’re an idiot.
Now get back to (a) your government job, (b) your art career, or (c) collecting your handouts.
charlie the crook rangel
August 11th, 2010
12:06 pm
Mr. Thomas Anthony “The Taxman Cometh” Jones, SR
August 11th, 2010
12:00 pm
As an African-American voter I fully support Governor Roy Barnes and the Democratis party. As out racist opponents the Tea Party/Republican
——————————————————————————————————————————————
Mr. Jones, your rant about the “racist” Tea Paryt…could you give specific examples or are you just repeating what some democrat told you to say.
Matt
August 11th, 2010
12:06 pm
Ive been to a Tea Party, and there was no hate, fear mongering, or distortion. There was however anger, anger at how powerful and overreaching the federal government has become. Its people like Katie here that require us to rally behind Nathan Deal and make sure that a Democrat does not run this state.
WTF
August 11th, 2010
12:07 pm
Truth. You let us down with your pointless comment. I don’t care if Handel would have been endorsed by Deal especially after the way she campaigned. I’m just glad Palin will finally fade away. 1 more looss for the Palin PAC is a good day for any REAL AMERICAN.
ken
August 11th, 2010
12:07 pm
Sarah Palins an unserious political figure,except among the nuttiest of right-wingers. Way too much has already been made about her star power, which is celebrity ego and not political. She doesn’t have the intellectual chops, the discipline or the experience, and the PUBLIC doesn’t take her on her endeorsements seriously (she can move a fringe 5 percent-er to a 35 percent-er before they lose.) The general public not only rates her endorsements negatively (NBC/WSJ poll, worth a -27) but has never seen the half-term governor as qualified for higher office. Why are so many GOP candidates certifiably insane this cycle? I knew once Sarah Palin endorsed her that she would lose this election.
khc
August 11th, 2010
12:08 pm
gracious of her to concede, glad that piss ant dan mc whatever is through….sure he’ll find another cesspool to float around
Truth
August 11th, 2010
12:08 pm
CJ, Before you call people hateful take a look in the mirror.
Jenny Craig
August 11th, 2010
12:08 pm
Handel needs to concede a few pounds off that waistline.
Winnie Norman
August 11th, 2010
12:09 pm
Bye Sarah! Buh-bye! LOSER.
checktothepower
August 11th, 2010
12:09 pm
All you did is elect a Democrat Governor to RUBBER STAMP Obama’s destruction of America.
GA deserves exactly what it’s going to get.
Grady Jackson *Barber Shop*
August 11th, 2010
12:09 pm
——————————————-
Roy Barnes is our next Governor
——————————————-
Gm
August 11th, 2010
12:09 pm
Thanks President Obama for keeping teachers, policeman employed, Deal was oppose to that, Conservatives can not be this hateful, they also voted against unemployement benfits.
Every Fox news person has a book on President Obama. Its so funny that Obama is a elitis by these dumb conservatives but he has signed more bills for the little people.
Wake up all you dumb Bubbas.
Quitter
August 11th, 2010
12:11 pm
So Handel is endorsing someone she called a crimminal. I am anxious to see her response to this.
FISCAL CONSERVATIVE
August 11th, 2010
12:12 pm
George Bush and all the other bail-out Republicans
.
RUINED ……… the U.S.A.
katie
August 11th, 2010
12:12 pm
What, no Hitler signs etc ? The so called leaders of the tea party, people they love, admire, support such as Palin and Bachman do not constantly rant hate, anger, fear mongering, distoring everything? And the radical right that is funding, manipulating, using these people for their own agenda? You most certainly cannot tell me these people have an open mind, and, where were they during the Bush administration?
Truth
August 11th, 2010
12:14 pm
WTF, Get use to it because Palin will never fade away. Handle came out of nowhere and almost bit a man that ran a nasty tasteless campaign.
BREAKING: Handel Concedes; Nathan Deal Wins Ga. GOP Gubernatorial Runoff : The Other McCain
August 11th, 2010
12:14 pm
[...] 2010 | No CommentsA recount seemed certain last night, but now Karen Handel has called it quits, as Aaron Sheinin reports from Atlanta:Yesterday, Karen Handel called Nathan Deal a “corrupt relic of Washington.” Today, however, [...]
political novice
August 11th, 2010
12:15 pm
She really owed it to the voters to wait it out until all votes were counted and a recount if close enough. A lot of voters deserve to have their votes counted for the candidate of their choice.
2010
August 11th, 2010
12:15 pm
This was one of the cleanest primaries and run-offs in awhile. Congrats to the GOP for showing some class.
.
Whacks Eloquent
August 11th, 2010
12:15 pm
Gm,
You mean little people like the ones on food stamps? And where can I get one of the Fox books on Obama, that would be a fun read? Gimme a break…it still just galls liberals that there is a network out there that does not pander to them.
John Q. Public
August 11th, 2010
12:15 pm
I’m a lifelong republican, but will be voting for Barnes. Deal IS a corrupt relic of Washington. As long as there are corrupt relics in DC, I’d rather them waving the other team’s banner.
dave
August 11th, 2010
12:16 pm
lynn marie – great observation, I guess it is because we (I’m guessing as opposed to you) PAY taxes.
Kyle
August 11th, 2010
12:16 pm
Rock –
If any of you Anti-American fools (Democrats) think you have a chance in any election in Georgia, other than some districts here and there that might have a bunch of you in one area, you are even more stupid than I know you already are. You and Barnes can do your Obama imitation and burn the American flag out in front of the Capitol but that is as close as either one of you will get to being on the inside.
Warhorse
August 11th, 2010
12:17 pm
Handel was right when she called Deal corrupt. This election will be a problem for any moderate or conservative who value integrity in government. Deal is corrupt, and Roy is just another liberal.
Real Person
August 11th, 2010
12:18 pm
Walt. most smart and educated people voted for Obama, do your research. Let’s be real, we all know why you hate Obama so much. He isnt like you. Bush creates a crisis in the country and you still want to blame a guy who has had the job 18 months. A big mess the incompetent republicans made, now someonehas to fix it. What a bunch of dillusional hypocrits.
Whacks Eloquent
August 11th, 2010
12:18 pm
katie @ 12:12,
Where were they during the Bush admin? Well, in 2006 and 2008 they STAYED HOME, and allowed the Democrats to take control of Congress, then the Presidency. Hopefully the GOP has learned their lesson, because it is obvious these voters can stomach no more sitting on their arses!
Will
August 11th, 2010
12:19 pm
Mister Deal has represented the 9th district well in his years in Washington. It seems to me that most of the posters here have forgotten that he is a moderate consevative that used to be a democrat when he was first elected. The charges of ethics violations are just that, no real substance at all. He took a step down to help the people of Georgia. Never have I seen ND not take time to listen to people that he represents. In local stores, high school events or whatever he has always listened to everyone that I saw approach him. He will make a fine and honorable leader of this state.
Recount
August 11th, 2010
12:19 pm
THE VOTERS OF GEORGIA DEMAND A RECOUNT. Let there be a clear victory for whomever it is.
dave
August 11th, 2010
12:20 pm
Gm – if by mean by the “little people” those who are not productive and can’t make it on their own, so they have to have the government take it from those who can, you right on target.
Billy in Savannah
August 11th, 2010
12:20 pm
I urge everyone in all corners of the state to support Barnes and not be fooled by GOP rhetoric. They just want tax cuts for the rich. Look where that has gotten this state! (not to mention Perdue’s tax cut that only benefited himself concerning the land deal in Florida).
Real Person
August 11th, 2010
12:20 pm
Kyle, did you forget Obama got about 47 percent of the vote here less than two years ago. What makes you think Georgia is so red. With a few more years of growth and educated implants moving down here, we can outvote the racist hillbilly crowd permantly and elect qualified people to lead the state
Piggly Wiggly
August 11th, 2010
12:21 pm
Thank goodness Karen Handel is out of the news.
Good Riddance Chubby.
No to Barnes
August 11th, 2010
12:21 pm
I just hope Georgians don’t forget how Barnes was as a governor. He was so bad we voted him out for Perdue. Teachers…don’t forget Barnes was the first to let you down. He cannot promise no furlow days without raising taxes or cutting pay. I’m not a republican or democrate but I do know Barnes is NOT good for Georgia!!!
Piggly Wiggly
August 11th, 2010
12:22 pm
Karen Handel for Dog Catcher
C Jae Of East Lake
August 11th, 2010
12:22 pm
So what now do we say of the so-called “Palin Effect”?
I guess she isn’t quite the King/Queen Maker she’s being played up to be
FISCAL CONSERVATIVE
August 11th, 2010
12:22 pm
.
BARNES for GOVERNOR
.
Truth
August 11th, 2010
12:23 pm
“A vicious runoff and the narrowest of margins produced the worst possible nominee in Georgia: a corrupt Washington insider,” Daschle said in a statement.”
This is what you have to look forward to Georgia. Deal is being investigated. Wait until Obama’s people get their hands involved in it? It doesn’t matter if Deal is found not guilty. They will string it along all doing the election and you won’t know until it’s to late.
The dems are facing who they wanted to face.
Todd
August 11th, 2010
12:23 pm
Waste your vote once and make a difference, vote Libertarian – vote Monds.
C Jae Of East Lake
August 11th, 2010
12:24 pm
Honestly, I see Deal as abit out of touch with the key policy issues that challenge this state.
republicans are losers
August 11th, 2010
12:24 pm
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roybarnesforgovernor.com
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James
August 11th, 2010
12:25 pm
Roy Barnes has the distinction of being the first Incumbent to lose to a Republican in over a hundred years. He was also the first to not to gain re-election as an incumbent since the law was changed in the 70’s. Why didn’t he run in 2006? He knew that no-one (Republican or Democrat) could stop the oncoming recession across the country. The signs were there so he waited until everything had hit bottom and now he is trying to come in during bad times and be a hero and fix everything. Good luck (if he wins) but I have my doubts on his policies.