Mike Huckabee endorses Nathan Deal in runoff race
Former Gov. Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, who won the 2008 presidential primary in Georgia, just issued his formal endorsement of Nathan Deal in the race for governor.
Though he doesn’t mention Deal’s rival, Karen Handel, by name, Huckabee expressed concern over the “negative tone” of the contest.
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. Associated Press
A Huckabee spokesman said no personal trip to Georgia is planned at this time — though you can expect to hear Huckabee’s voice on robo-calls placed throughout the state.
We now have a full-on proxy war. Sarah Palin and Mitt Romney have sided with Handel. If only John McCain weren’t tied down by his own Arizona race.
Here’s what Huckabee said from Little Rock:
“Like many across the country I’ve been watching this race develop for some time; and as of late I’ve become increasingly concerned by the negative tone the race is taking.
“And today, I’m pleased to announce that Huck PAC and I proudly endorse Nathan Deal for Governor.
“I developed a relationship with Nathan while he was in Congress, and I was serving as Governor of Arkansas. Nathan was helping Governor’s nationwide fight the overreaching arm of the federal government. At the time, the federal government was forcing expensive Medicaid reform on states – but refusing to fund it. Nathan clearly understood that those federal mandates into healthcare would bankrupt states’ budgets, so he stood firm by the Governors and fought to protect the states.
“The only difference between the federal government’s overreaching arm then as compared to its overreaching arm now – is that now, it’s bigger, stronger and more arrogant. The power of the federal government has exploded in the past two years – and as the federal government grows increasingly intrusive, Nathan will continue protecting the rights of all Georgians.
“He wasn’t afraid of a fight then and he’s not afraid of a fight now. Nathan is battle tested – and that’s what Georgia needs now more than ever.
“As Georgia’s Governor, Nathan would not only support a Fair Tax, he’d champion it – having been a co-sponsor of the Fair Tax since its introduction to Congress. It was also important to me that a man I deeply respect, Georgia Congressman John Linder, also supports Nathan. The National Rifle Association and Georgia Right to Life have endorsed Nathan, and he believes marriage can only be defined as being between one man and one woman.
“Please join me in supporting Nathan Deal, let’s make him Georgia’s next Governor.”
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101 comments Add your comment
Jeff is at it again...
August 5th, 2010
9:07 pm
Once again Christian conservatives are pushing for Roy Barnes to serve a 2nd four year term.
chris
August 5th, 2010
9:13 pm
Huckabee freed a felon who killed 4 police officers. His opinion means nothing. I will vote against Deal, thanks Huckafool.
Mark
August 5th, 2010
9:17 pm
I disappointed to learn that Gov Huckabee has endorsed Nathan Deal for Gov of Georgia. Nathan Deal resigned his seat in congress to avoid an ethics investigation which cost the state of Georgia hundreds of thousands dollars in illegal state contracts.
Deal is bad for Georgia
janet
August 5th, 2010
9:23 pm
No Longer Republican you have spoken truth to power. You are correct absolutely correct. And I am reminded by all of this religion in politics that “the religious right is neither”.
Randall Farmer
August 5th, 2010
9:34 pm
“But the Democrats want a broad investigation of whether Gingrich broke federal laws and House rules as he mounted his long and deliberate campaign to become Speaker.” Time Magazine
I have read the Deal report word for word. It is exaggerated and overwrought, and mischaracterizes as one would expect the Democratic committee counsel to do. Rather than realize this, Handel takes the bait from the Dems and swallows it all………every inch of it.
Deal is not my perfect candidate, maybe not top ten percent, but he is a helluva better than Handel who is a congenital exaggerator and who still can’t believe that her charade has gotten her this far.
uno
August 5th, 2010
9:34 pm
The so-called religious right is wrong again – Repent Sinners.
cg
August 5th, 2010
9:38 pm
I’d say Deal’s latest ad is the most negative yet. Disappointed that Huckabee has endorsed him, especially citing the “negative tone.”
Alan
August 5th, 2010
9:48 pm
Give Handel and Deal each a gun, place them back to back and let them duel it out western style, all the while screaming at each other “I am more conservative” “NO I AM MORE CONSERVATIVE” “GAYS ABORTION” I AM MORE CONSERVATIVE – what an f’d up state this is.
Beyond The Rhetoric
August 5th, 2010
9:50 pm
For those that speculate Karen Handel would win over Roy Barnes in the General Election:
The following is from Rasmussen Reports, dated July 22, 2010, one of the major polling resources in the Nation:
“Handel earns 45% of the vote against Barnes while Deal picks up 49%. Handel, the former Secretary of State, and Deal, a former Congressman, are headed for an August 10 runoff. Deal and Handel came from behind to win their slots in the run-off with key endorsements from New Gingrich and Sarah Palin respectively.”
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2010/election_2010_governor_elections/georgia/election_2010_georgia_governor
Rasmussen’s accuracy is highly respected. For example, in the 2008 Presidential Election taken on October 30th, Rasmussen predicted that McCain would win Georgia by +5.0%. The final results from the election: Georgia voted for McCain by +5.2%.
Rasmussen is a non-partisan, professional organization folks. This can be confirmed by going to Real Clear Politics.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/ga/georgia_mccain_vs_obama-596.html
Brian
August 5th, 2010
9:56 pm
Huckabee endorses Deal. Palin endorses Handel. Can you get any worse endorsements as a Republican? I guess Bush could endorse one of them.
Roy Barnes
August 5th, 2010
10:06 pm
Georgians, always remember:
Republicans want to starve puppies, take away social security from the elderly, and put African Americans back in slavery !
Toodles !
Not My Real Name
August 5th, 2010
10:56 pm
This race for Governor really stinks!
Handel, Deal and Barnes are BARF!
Please draft Clark Howard !
mirandalamber2012
August 5th, 2010
11:01 pm
Curious….the allegation is a lie and you know it. It was trotted out by her republican primary opponents, Opponents she crushed by the way. You know anyone can make an allegation. I could say allege that I heard that you stole my pencil and then some cute poster could go into a blog and say “Curious, who has allegations of a stolen pencil over his/her head”,…. and on it goes. Welcome to politics in the internet and blogger era.
mirandalamber2012
August 5th, 2010
11:04 pm
I think alot of Deal people are smiling out of one side of their mouth. Huckabee is basically a pro-life christian socialist.
One less undecided voter
August 5th, 2010
11:06 pm
Gov. Huckabee’s endorsement was the one that put this backwoods, Dekalb Co. raised fundementalist firmly in Congressman Deal’s column. In this case, yes endorsements made a difference. When enough of the people that you respect put their name behind somebody, it speaks volumes.
Why do Evolutionists take such offense that Christians allow their faith to guide their decisions? I don’t call you an idiot because you believe everything came from nothing, and is going nowhere for no reason. As ignorant as you consider us, did you consider how we view you? So if your going to give a small portion of your life posting on this board, why not engage in some constructive debate, and refrain from disparaging Christians for our beliefs. Is it not what you believe in that guides your decisions?
One less undecided voter
August 5th, 2010
11:12 pm
For all you folks who talk about what a %!$%’d up state this is. You have 49 more to choose from. I’ll speculate that you aren’t from here to start with. It’s kinda like family, as screwed up as things might appear to those of far superior enlightenment, I’m proud to say Georgia is still my home.
No Longer Republican
August 6th, 2010
12:02 am
One Less…I was born and right in this state and it is just as much min as it is yors. Whats more is that I spent many years in the same churches that the right wingers like you hail from. My point was that to make a decision about leaders based soley on social issues that are important to one particular group of people, without considering all the other important things is STUPID. Muh more important issues affect every day life of millions of Georgians, food clothing, education, jobs, things that are basic life necessutues. And when you elect people who don’t know how to work with that because they fit your belief system, everyone suffers.Why can’t you le people make their own decisions. If you want them to think and believe like you, you need to be like Jesus and show them that, not force down their throats…that just makes it less likely tha they will ever see things your way.
Ted
August 6th, 2010
12:23 am
Wow – the “I hate Sarah” brigade is out in full force here.
Let me think – what would you RINOS and dems be blogging if she had endorsed Deal?
Oh, yea – it would be: “I hate Sarah Palin and that quitter Deal”!!!
You would be blogging non-stop about his ethics scandal, no-bid deals and forecasting what else will come out before the Nov election if he wins.
Graham
August 6th, 2010
12:45 am
Jesus Freak-
Do you honestly believe the devaluation of morals is coming from the homosexual community? Thats preposterous. Most states in the union do not allow gay unions, much less gay adoption. These “rebel youth” who have no sense of direction and no morals because of that come from the decrepit homes of broken heterosexual marriages. Fathers who beat mothers, or fathers who drink or abuse drugs or fathers not in the picture at all, and single parents who work and are hardly around. Poverty seems to be the main reason. Look at the places these things happen. Are there more shootings in Piedmont Park or Five Points? San Fransisco or Oakland? Evanston or South Chicago? Large gay communities tend to have lower crime in general, not to mention violent crime.
Im so sick of people talking bad about gays and civil unions like they have any vantage point to refer to. Especially in the south. There are hardly any gays at all, I dont see how you can claim to understand a group of people youve probably never had contact with. If everyone would just put their bibles away and focus on issues that affect everyone, the world would be a much better place. Thats why I’ll be voting for Roy Barnes. Look at his website, and then at Deal and Handel. In the “issues” section, they list everything from FairTax to the Second Amendment to gay marriage to abortion to “Obamacare” and even immigration. Come on. Fair Tax isnt fair at all, the second amendment is certainly in no jeaprody here, we’re hundreds of miles from the border, and the somehow evil “Obamacare” passed already. Get over it. If the American people didn’t want it, they wouldnt have elected Barack with 365 electoral votes two years ago. And everyone knows that gay marriage and abortion are issues that republicans run on when things are running smoothly (2000), which they are clearly not. But what does Roy have on his site? Economy, Education, Transportation and Water. The only things that really matter.
Media In Politics » Blog Archive » POLITICAL HOT TOPICS: Friday, August 6, 2010
August 6th, 2010
4:49 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution: Mike Huckabee endorses Nathan Deal in runoff race Former Gov. Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, who won the 2008 presidential primary in Georgia, just issued his formal endorsement of Nathan Deal in the race for governor. Though he doesn’t mention Deal’s rival, Karen Handel, by name, Huckabee expressed concern over the “negative tone” of the contest. [...]
Tom Porter
August 6th, 2010
6:02 am
Gov. Huckabee also endorsed one of the worst candidates running for governor of South Carolina. Luckily he came in a distance fourth in the race. No thanks Mike.
Bitter EX democrackkk
August 6th, 2010
6:43 am
Preacher Huckabeen should know better than to endorse a crook…
LumpkinBumpkin
August 6th, 2010
7:20 am
Any endorsement from the Baptist Taliban killed the last drop of potential in Deal for me.
Bobby Anthony
August 6th, 2010
8:06 am
Multiple Choice Exam
(A) Handel
(B) Deal
(C) Barnes
(D) Non of the Above
Bobby Anthony
August 6th, 2010
8:06 am
My choice is D
Holier Than Thou
August 6th, 2010
8:18 am
To all of those Karen Handel worshippers who continue to sling mud and claim that Nathan Deal is a criminal: You should do a bit more research as you are looking quite diminished. All of the non- worshippers see through your plan and you dont seem to understand why other political leaders have become alarmed and have come to support Deal. You see, Nathan Deal has not been charged with any crime. I know you keep pointing to the multiple accusations and that you have special knowledge as to why he left the Congress to run for Governor. You have special insight from above (AKA the Handel Campaign) that he is a corrupt politician and will be in the slammer any day now. You keep praying that some indictment will come down from the sky before the election. You know that Karen Handel has pristine ethics and will forever change those “good ole boys” at the Capitol as she forces them to wear their “Big boy pants”. You should be proud of your candidate, after all, she has achieved a High School diploma and has an education plan for Georgia! She has not completed any of her roles in office but says she will this time as Governor..actions don’t matter because she is one tough “mama grizzly” who wants to “Bring it on”.
Well, she has brought it on…and she is not appealing to anyone I know. She should be attending anger management classes.
Billy Joe Poteet
August 6th, 2010
9:00 am
@Holier Than Thou
“To all of those Karen Handel worshippers who continue to sling mud”
I am pleased that no mud has been thrown by Deal supporters or, for that matter, Mr. Deal himself. It is obvious that Mr. Deal and his supporters are refraining from such tactics.
I appreciate your keen observation of the political climate.
Bob
August 6th, 2010
9:16 am
Thank you so much Graham. I’m so sick of people who seem to think homosexuality is the cause of our problems. And JesusFreak, if life was really so much better 50 years ago, why would the 60s have happened? Correct answer, they wouldn’t. The 50s were oppressive and only seemed great from the outside, like so many other things in this world. The problems you listed originate at homes where children are raised by TV, not parents. It doesn’t matter if you’re gay or strait; Christian, Muslim, or Jewish; black or white, you can be a great parent. You can also be an awful parent. It doesn’t depend on such broad generalizations, all that matters is how you interact with your kids. And kids should have the right to decide what is right and what is wrong; you talk about the “gay agenda” being “rammed down our throats,” what about your agenda you want to ram down my throat?
Bob
August 6th, 2010
9:18 am
And before any of you try to say I’m bringing race into the discussion because I said “black or white,” rest assured it was only to have three adjectives. I’ve read enough of these to know that someone would think I’m an evil racist for mentioning it…
Scott
August 6th, 2010
11:20 am
Like most political races in Georgia, we have to choose the lesser of two evils. King Roy had his chance and he blew it so the winner of the Handel-Deal runoff gets my vote. I wish i could get excited about that but I just can’t.
Billy Joe Poteet
August 6th, 2010
11:41 am
@Scott
It’s not just this election in Georgia, Scott. Most of the I find myself voting for the lesser of two evils or voting against someone rather than for someone. Either the candidates aren’t what they used to be or, more likely, really good people absolutely refuse to seek public office because they do not wish to subject themselves and their families to all that goes along with politics. Maybe that is the reason we have such poor leaders at the national, state and local levels.
Billy Joe Poteet
August 6th, 2010
11:42 am
That should read, “Most of the time I find . . .” Sorry . . .
billburd
August 6th, 2010
11:58 am
Why has nobody questioned the wisdom that a Handel victory places two individuals with only high school degrees on the republican ticket number one and two? Maybe this isn’t an issue these days?
Concerned
August 6th, 2010
1:34 pm
“GA Resident,” I read the ethics house report you sighted on Deal, I too was interested. You must REALLY read all of it to the END to see the “whole” story, before you start saying someone is guilty. Give the benefit of innocent till proven guilty. So many are quick to jump on the band of half truths and negativsms in ads. Seek out the truth, the whole truth.
Jessica
August 6th, 2010
2:56 pm
I want ND to beat KH because I believe Roy would beat the pants off ND after Georgians find out how crooked and racist he is! How about this, how about Nathan beat Karen and then Sarah endorse Nathan over Roy! That way, Roy can slide back into office because anybody that takes Palin serious is…well…psycho! Go home to your children Sarah. They need you! Have you read in the paper lately that your daughter is hurting?
Jessica
August 6th, 2010
2:58 pm
So, Karen doesn’t have a college degree? Well, if I have to have another Republican Governor, I’d take uneducated over racist pig any day!
Mark
August 6th, 2010
3:37 pm
Nathan Deal is running a very negative campaign. we need a positive leader for GA and that is Karen Handel.
Deal and Barnes are one in the same. Vote for a true conservative, Karen Handel!
Silent Jay
August 6th, 2010
5:49 pm
“Huckabee won the 2008 Georgia presidential primary,”
God, I just cringe when I read that.
Mugwump
August 6th, 2010
6:39 pm
Deal dealt.
Mark
August 7th, 2010
11:01 am
A vote for Deal is a vote for King Roy in November!
Racism
August 7th, 2010
1:02 pm
There are several allegations on this blog that Nathan Deal is a racist. I have examined his record, his votes and outside commentary and I can find nothing factual about this. Would all of you who make this claim please provide links to your facts? The rest of us see where the mud slinging is coming from and just as the racist charge is being hurled against Tea Partiers and anyone who is against Obama’s politices, we seem the same unsubstantiated allegations here on this blog. However, it is YOU that are minimized since the “charge” is losing it’s impact by all of the those that just like to cast stones. Go ahead and “Bring it on”. Show us your racism facts and continued rants. My vote is for Nathan Deal.
News Update
August 7th, 2010
11:32 pm
[...] Mike Huckabee the Georgia GOP 2008 presidential primary winner endorses Nathan Deal in the Primary r… [...]
Karen Handel Leading Nathan Deal in Runoff Race for Georgia GOP Governor Nod | Breaking News
August 8th, 2010
1:24 pm
[...] who plans to campaign for Handel on the eve of the runoff, said in her original endorsement that while Handel had been “considered an underdog candidate (more power to her!), this [...]
no longer a democrat
August 8th, 2010
3:11 pm
imo as voters we have had it up to here with the ethical side of many politicans. this in the final analysis is where deal will be dealt out. why he continued with this with this cloud hanging over him was in itself a poor decision and poor decision-making is another minus.
i predict handel by at least 11 points.
no longer a democrat
August 8th, 2010
3:16 pm
with all due respect, y’all. PLEASE, please stop with the “at least huckabee knew deal… worked with him, etc.” – it’s a (truly forgive me) but its a dumb argument. did you know obama when you voted for him? you will be voting for deal; did you know him?
Palin probably knows more about Handel than any of you bothered to check out because that is the way she is. you can beleive she searched out and became familiar with Handel’s direction, values and vision.
claiming a politician is not qualified to endorse someone because they do not know them is like sending a message to obama to sit down for all the people he endorses whom he never worked with.
do the math
August 8th, 2010
3:19 pm
i think a last minute push leaves freshly inspired people motivated so i see nothing wrong with Palin endorsing on Monday. I honestly prefer that even if i were still a democrat. it just makes better marketing sense.
Jayne M. Barker
August 8th, 2010
9:47 pm
Huckabee what were you thinking…YOU MADE A REALLY BAD DEAL!!!
Jayne M. Barker
August 8th, 2010
9:49 pm
GOOD NEWS: Savannah newspaper endorsed Handel today!!
Hot Air » Endgame: Handel concedes to Deal in Georgia gubernatorial runoff
August 11th, 2010
12:51 pm
[...] which is smart thinking given her future in the party. Out: Sarah Palin, Republican kingmaker. In: Mike Huckabee, Republican kingmaker? I want to thank all of my friends, supporters, volunteers and my campaign [...]
shirley
September 5th, 2010
9:00 am
When you decide whether a candidate is racist look at the choices they make. Hitler took Germany out of a depression by successfull marketing the volkswagon and the war by targeting the Jewish people. It was a political marketing technic to unite the people so he could control the mass of angry fightened people in a financial melt down. We now in our new age of political correctness use what we who are completely intigrated call as soft racism. When a candidate uses Muslim buildings in a ad? The ignorant people that this ad attracts will attack any race that is not blonde with blue eyes. This promotes the picketting the building of a Muslim as well as a Black church. This is the result. Mike Huckabee as a christian needs search his soul to see that he is promoting his faith for God. Is he a good example of Love thy neighbour.