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
Allen
August 11th, 2010
3:33 pm
@ Esteban – Obama will find a reasonable way to pay for his promises, but first he must find a way to pay for Bush’s lies (see: Iraq War) — guided missiles that kill thousands of innocents don’t come cheap.
teacher
August 11th, 2010
3:33 pm
I had mixed feelings about Roy for a Democrat, but since Nathan Deal stands against almost everything I stand for, I am definately campaigning for Roy!!!
Education is in too much danger.
Snoopy
August 11th, 2010
3:33 pm
Roy is hoping the teachers win the election for him… He’s the one that raped the education system in Ga… Now he wants their support?? That’d be like OBummer winning re-election… AIN’t GONNA HAPPEN…
Only the GOP can right this State & Country… The Dems have dumped on us long enough.. Socialist that they are!
Snoopy
August 11th, 2010
3:34 pm
Teacher…. Do not take the bait… Fool you twice – shame on YOU!!
teacher
August 11th, 2010
3:36 pm
Snoopy: It is the lesser of two evils then, because so far Republicans have screwed too much up. Deal will just continue the cycle. Roy may break it. That is why I am voting. He is closer to my ideals.
Mama Grizzly
August 11th, 2010
3:36 pm
Handel–when you lie down with dogs: 1) negative campaigning 2) Sarah Palin 3) morphing from a moderate into a zany conservative–you really do wake up with fleas!
mpfadd
August 11th, 2010
3:42 pm
There is a God. And, apparently, karma is alive & well, too.
It constantly amazes me that those who kick ‘the little people’ around & treat their employees horribly are apparently so naive as to believe that those same people don’t vote, nor do they have family and friends that vote. The State of Georgia will never know just how much they’ve been blessed.
Willow Palin
August 11th, 2010
3:45 pm
Peaceful Georgians! This nomination too real, too raw! She represents United States! Stabs the heart! Plse refudiate!
SMK
August 11th, 2010
3:46 pm
Time for a Libertarian governor in the state of Georgia. Neither of the mainstream candidates are acceptable. I totally agree that Handel lost when Sarah Palin endorsed her. Should have been the case for Deal with Gingrich’s endorsement, too – but one of them was going to win yesterday so in Georgia, Gingrich must be the lesser of two evils.
Dawg Fud
August 11th, 2010
3:46 pm
Regardless of political affiliation, Sonny is an idiot. The number one thing hurting health care in Georgia is the “sick tax” he signed into legislation taxing our not for profit hospitals.
I’ll be glad when this goon is out of office regardless of who takes his place.
NO Deal
August 11th, 2010
3:49 pm
Karen Handel called Nathan Deal a “corrupt relic of Washington. – She got it right.
bart
August 11th, 2010
3:52 pm
Go Barnes!!!
Long Time Georgian
August 11th, 2010
3:53 pm
Georgians need to take heed – Roy Barnes was the most insidious Governor I’ve ever seen. His geramandering effort was classic – if you look up that word and see the picture example – his was even dirtier. Remember, redistricting will happen in the upcoming year. He is a control freak – wants only to control – not interested in anyone else’s opinion – particularly those who might vote for him. His King Roy nickname is very accurate – Georgians will rue the day they let him back into politics – think Obama, Palosi, Reed, et. al.
Heather
August 11th, 2010
3:54 pm
Life-long republican & going to vote for Barnes. Maybe Karen got quitter-advice from Sarah. Ugh. What a mess our Grand Old Party has become. Fools.
Heather
August 11th, 2010
3:57 pm
SMK: “Time for a Libertarian governor in the state of Georgia.” Good luck with that. If he gets 49% of the vote, a majority, Monds will have to take on the runner-up in a pointless run-off. We need to get rid of that and let the majority vote be heard.
mpfadd
August 11th, 2010
3:57 pm
There’s a distinct possibility, too, that Republicans are going to be surprised at the amount of Democrats who voted GOP in the primary — strictly to hurt Handel. Never underestimated the power of ticked off employees & their families……
Case in point: the endorsement for Deal in the Beacon — Handel’s hometown paper? It’s strange how those who know her the best are the ones who worked so hard against her. Karma bites.
Red Ryder
August 11th, 2010
4:06 pm
Jane Awwwwww poor poor Sonny. What a joke he was and is. Like all Republicans he cowtows to big business and tough luck for the little guy. Georgia continues to trail the nation in almost every metric and our good for nothing Republican legislature can only CUT MORE TAXES!!!!! A tax cut for the wealthy elderly at that; which they sure do not need but by golly they were gonna cut those taxes again. Let our state continue to not have adequate funding in most every area but “belly up to the bar boys” – tax cuts all around for the wealthy. And you idiot Georgians keep electing them- as if they cared one whit for the poor and middle class! Shame on you Georgians- shame on you. Your children deserve better.
Lissie
August 11th, 2010
4:10 pm
I guess Caribou Barbie wasn’t Handel’s Messiah after all. No mandate in this one. Run, Roy, Run!
PoliticiansAreSleazy
August 11th, 2010
4:12 pm
Perdue’s half-hearted “endorsement” of Nathan Deal was a pile of you-know-what. Calls Republicans “family”, then tries to equate Barnes to Nancy Pelosi? Pitiful. Do-Nothing comments from a Do-Nothing Governor.
Cindy
August 11th, 2010
4:12 pm
I like what Real Person Said I don’t get it with this state thinking it would be better with a repulican as governor look at the past 8 years of Sonny yeah its really better, And you people are still mad about the flag when people are out of work, Democrats are for the workers, The Repulicans like to pad the pockets of the wealthy yeah see if it would be better with a crook like Deal, GO ROY
PoliticiansAreSleazy
August 11th, 2010
4:15 pm
If Roy Barnes becomes governor he will not have nearly as much power as he did before. The Republicans now control the legislature. Maybe it’s time for a divided government in Georgia….then the politicians under the Gold Dome will actually HAVE to work together instead of playing partisan games of who’s more “for the people” than the other is.
Rob
August 11th, 2010
4:15 pm
Red Ryder – your comments are a bit harsh, but I agree that our state legislature and Sonny have already taken us down a dangerous path that will be nearly impossible to reverse. Phasing out income tax for the wealthy elderly citizens of Georgia will cost the state billions of dollars in revenue every year. It is a purely political move to pander to the elderly voters. It was a shameful act in the midst of an economy that is forcing drastic cuts in essential state services. The people of Georgia really need to decide what type of future we want for our state. Low taxes with no services, or reasonable taxes with improving schools, decent health care, etc.
Red Ryder
August 11th, 2010
4:15 pm
Long Time Georgian Yeah buddy- spread that fear real good now pal. You better spread that fear because anyone who has been watching knows that the Republicans in Georgia have not had an original thought in their heads EVER!!! They only know how to spread fear and hate mongering; and cut taxes!!!! For the wealthy. And what they would most love to do now is to do away with any taxes on earnings and roll it over to consumption only. And who would that hurt most??? The poor and lower middle class; and who would it help the most; the WEALTHY!!!! Imagine that!!! Hide and watch them folks and especially watch the newly appointed commission that has been loaded up with big business friends and cohorts.
ACE
August 11th, 2010
4:16 pm
Either way Barnes/Deal, I bet we all get screwed in the end
Red Ryder
August 11th, 2010
4:16 pm
PoliticiansAreSleazy Republicans have never been for the poor working man pal- and you know it!!!
College Graduate
August 11th, 2010
4:24 pm
Karen Handel is a corrupt carpetbagger from Maryland.
Travis McGee
August 11th, 2010
4:26 pm
Well, the people of Georgia have spoken and the voice of the outside interloper was silenced.
Deal won: “ya betcha!”
But the people of Georgia probably got a booby prize. We’ll see.
And, so it goes. . . .
Georgia post-election thoughts | pendulously
August 11th, 2010
4:28 pm
[...] post-election thoughts The good news is the primary is FINALLY over. And what an ugly one it was, with Karen Handel throwing an entire gender under the bus and [...]
Karen Handel is Sleazy
August 11th, 2010
4:28 pm
Karen wants an appointed position by Nathan Deal if he becomes Governor.
Always looking out for her
chubby self.
Karen Handel is Sleazy
August 11th, 2010
4:34 pm
The Republican family has nominated a corrupt relic of Washington.
ChrisH
August 11th, 2010
4:38 pm
I really didn’t care if it was Deal or Handel just don’t let King Roy back in the GA drivers seat. His administration was a disaster for the state and will be even worse if we let him back. Bravo to Handel for handing it in, I felt she was as worthy as Deal but in the end we don’t need a long drawn out process. The point is to defeat Barnes and send him packing. Lets put the primary behind us and start dedicating ourselves to that cause.
Richie
August 11th, 2010
4:40 pm
to the Ga rep. Karen was the best,WE got a bad deal.
Ace
August 11th, 2010
4:41 pm
If you’re a teacher and employed thank a Democrat. If you’re a fireman and employed thank a Democrat. If you’re a policeman and employed, thank a Democrat. Remember when you vote who just funded your jobs, and it wasn’t a Republican.
Red Ryder
August 11th, 2010
4:41 pm
ChrisH So you really like what ole “Go Fish” Purdue and his Republican minions in the legislature did to this state for the past 8 years? Are you serious??? And you want “more of the same”???
sarah palin
August 11th, 2010
4:49 pm
thanks for the big paycheck KAREN…TOO BAD FOR YOU THAT THE georgia VOTERS DIDNT FALL FOR MY BS..
If you want change
August 11th, 2010
4:50 pm
Just vote for John Monds. Just sayin’.
bsnjunk
August 11th, 2010
4:52 pm
Come on, Georgia! Nathan Deal and Roy Barnes. Is that really the best you could do? Definition of insanity. Doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result.
JerryFrom GA
August 11th, 2010
5:00 pm
I find it amusing that the small minority of liberals in this state believe Barnes has a snowball’s chance in hell. This is the reddest of the red states and Barnes is a proven failure of the Georgia Democrat Party. The people in this state are filtering with secession due to failed policies of the Obama administation. They are not going to elect an Obama lapdog, which is what Barnes amounts to. Deal wins with almost 60% of the vote-take that to the bank.
OneRyder
August 11th, 2010
5:01 pm
So Deal is a “corrupt relic of Washington.” but he has you endorsement? I guess that says alot about Handel and the depths that repub party is wallowing in. Glad to see Ga. Repubs didn’t fall for Palin’s crappy paid-for endorsements.
OneRyder
August 11th, 2010
5:05 pm
Hey JerryFrom Ga? Don’t you mean the “Failed policies of Bush and repubs”? What “failed Obama policies” are you referring to?
You seem to think people actually wanted to spend 5 Billion A Month liberating Shia Muslims from Sunni Muslims? You probably think that was Obama’s choice…along with giving 700 Billion to Wall Street with NO OVERSIGHT and NO PAYBACK requirements. The only “failed policies” we’ve seen so far is the failed policies of repubs..and 8 years of Bush.
N-GA
August 11th, 2010
5:07 pm
Deal or No Deal…..With luck we’ll get a Mis-Deal
@ JerryFromGA – What does “…are filtering with secession….” really mean?
JDW
August 11th, 2010
5:09 pm
LOL, so it is The Corrupt One vs King Roy. Now we see just how dumb Georgia voters really are.
mmm, mmm, mmm Barack the LIAR Obama
August 11th, 2010
5:13 pm
OneRyder
August 11th, 2010
5:05 pm
In case Jerry doesn’t give you the list, here’s something to chew on for you lemming libs:
Last October, as the health care debate was heating up in Washington, a reporter asked the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi to identify where the Constitution gives Congress the authority to mandate health insurance for individuals. Her reply: “are you serious?”
Her press spokesman later told the reporter that it was not a “serious question.” “You can put this on the record – that is not a serious question. That is not a serious question.”
BROKEN Obama campaign promises and bringing change to Washington
• The national debt rose above $13 trillion dollars, up $1.7 trillion in just one year.
• Rarely does a politician get caught in such a blatant break of a campaign promise as President Obama did with his “I’ll put health care negotiations on C-SPAN” pledge. Obama had promised at least eight times during his run for presidency that he would do so
• During his 2008 presidential campaign, Obama vowed to overturn the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy banning gays from the military. It is still in place two nearly years later.
• Nearly $6 million in stimulus money was paid to two firms run by Mark Penn, Hillary Clinton’s pollster in 2008. Federal records show that $5.97 million from the $787 billion stimulus helped preserve THREE (3) jobs at Burson-Marsteller, the global public-relations/communications firm headed by Penn.
• Obama entered office, vowing he would do what George W. Bush had not: lead the world to a global climate accord.
• Pass the stimulus bill and unemployment won’t go above 8.2%, it’s now 10.2%
• Recipients of federal stimulus dollars have overstated the number of jobs created or saved in GA by more than 1,500, according to an AJC analysis of public records
• Quote: “I will promise you this, that if we have not gotten our troops out by the time I am president, it is the first thing I will do. I will get our troops home. We will bring an end to this war….You can take that to the bank!”
• Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac need $30 BILLION more taxpayer dollars
• the White House is NOT for sale
• Transparency
• bipartisan support
• close Gitmo
• Timmy the TAX CHEAT Geitner
• ACORN
• find Osama bin Laden
• NO lobbyist on the White House staff
• all bills put on line so the public can read them first
• no tax increase for anyone making less than $250K
• and on, and on, and on……let’s say it again, mmm, mmm, mmm Barack the LIAR Obama
sarah palin
August 11th, 2010
5:15 pm
hey KAREN, hows this election thingy working out for ya?
sarah palin
August 11th, 2010
5:16 pm
@ baracktheliar
remember 9/11 happened on DUBYA GUMPS watch…OSAMA
sarah palin
August 11th, 2010
5:17 pm
@BARACK THE LIAR
OSAMA BIN LADEN LOVES bush…lol
george "gump" bush the liar
August 11th, 2010
5:19 pm
i “seen” WMD’S in IRAQ…too bad i didnt see OSAMA coming…oh well
KRP
August 11th, 2010
5:21 pm
Hey mmm, mmm, mmm,
Nice copy and paste. But that’s all you right-wing nuts do is copy and paste the thoughts of your wacko leaders on the radio and FOX news. Try thinking (and typing) for yourself, moron.
george "gump" bush the liar
August 11th, 2010
5:23 pm
HEY I WAS OSAMA BIN LADEN’S BEST FRIEND…LOL
mmm, mmm, mmm Barack the LIAR Obama
August 11th, 2010
5:24 pm
KRP – What’s wrong, the truth hurts too much for you liberal lefties? CRY ON! Show me which is wrong, most of these come from the AJC – that vast right wing rag.