Nathan Deal: ‘I understand Georgia’s pain’
The Insider offers you a quick-and-dirty transcript of the conference call that Republican nominee for governor Nathan Deal held with supporters this morning, to calm angst over articles dealing with his financial situation.
GOP nominee for governor Nathan Deal addresses reporters Wednesday. Aaron Gould Sheinin, asheinin@ajc.com
The message Deal was trying to send:
– The loans he co-signed on an outdoor store were made to support his daughter and her husband, which any voter should understand;
– He is not insolvent;
– Intimations that his debt, $2 million of which will come due in February, have any bearing on his ability to govern are out of line and of a political nature;
– If anything, his financial troubles mean that he understands the pain of the average Georgian;
Overall, the remarks are similar to what the Republican nominee told reporters on Wednesday. I’ve placed in bold the two paragraphs that are likely to quickly show up in news reports. Otherwise, Deal’s remarks below are untouched:
”Good morning. This is Nathan Deal.
“I want to thank all of you for being on the call this morning. I wanted to talk to you about something that has developed within the last week with regard to financial obligations that my wife and I have.
“It’s the kind of issue that sometimes, of course, surfaces in the midst of a political campaign. I believe that one of the responsibilities of parents is to help their children. And several years ago, our middle daughter and her husband, who – they’d both been traveling all across the country on their jobs – wanted to be closer to home, since they had the youngest of our grandchildren.
“My wife and I decided that we would help them in that venture. They were opening an outdoor store in Habersham County. Everything was going very well – as it was going with a lot of things in our economy at that time.
“But suddenly, of course, the economy turned. And that downturn is the worst we’ve seen in more than a generation. It obviously has taken down some of the largest banks. It has taken down some of the largest businesses, some of the largest insurance companies all across our country — and certainly hundreds of thousands of small business people across the country as well as right here in our state.
“Unfortunately, my children were caught in that same process. They’re store had to be closed. My wife and I had agreed to guarantee the loans for that undertaking. We’ve always believed that a responsibility of a parent is to help their children, and we certainly intended to do that.
“The obligations are certainly outstanding, and we are in the process of addressing those obligations. The press would have you believe we are insolvent, and that is far from the truth. We have assets that are going to be liquidated, including the place where the business was in operation, as well as other assets that we are willing to sacrifice in order to live up to our obligations.
“We believe that’s the responsible thing to do. Now, of course, on top of all of this is the implication that this in some way should have something to do with the governor’s race. I, quite frankly, don’t think that it has. I believe, if anything, this is an illustration of the fact that you need a governor who understands the pain that Georgians are facing.
“And certainly, many, many Georgians are facing the same kind of problems that my family has incurred in this business venture. Now, I’ve made investments over the years. Some have been good, some have been bad. This was an investment that was made on behalf of a child, and I think when you try to help your children, that’s probably always the right thing to do.
“Now, we’re going to live up to our obligations. It has nothing to do, in my opinion, with this campaign. The press would perhaps have you believe that this is an indication that I cannot govern this state. I tell you that it has nothing to do with that.
“In fact, I believe the fact that I understand the pain of Georgians is all the more important as I enter the governor’s office.
“Now, yesterday, I believe there was another article about another business venture that I’m involved in – a small business that is a very successful business. Something that my partner and I started from scratch.
“Like any small business, if you are a stockholder, you are sometimes asked to be guarantors on a loan for the corporation. That’s exactly what those loans are. The assets of the corporation and the assets that we own as individuals for the business far exceed any of those obligations.
“The loans are performing loans, and it is a profitable business. There again, this is simply an effort to divert attention away from the campaign for governor. And I want to tell you that I appreciate the fact that many of you have been reaching out to me and my wife, and to our family.
“We thank you for your prayers and your words of encouragement and support. And I want you to know that from the beginning of this campaign, that I’ve been attacked. And I think the reason is that the other party understood that I was the strongest candidate, the one most likely to win the governorship of this state.
“And, of course, the polls still continue to indicate that, and have consistently indicated it throughout the entire campaign. We intend to go forward with strength. We intend to provide the kind of leadership that Georgians will expect from a governor. We will do it on our personal level, and we expect to do it at the state level as well.
“These are still difficult times for many Georgians. And I’ll be a governor who has a perfectly reliable understanding of those challenges that Georgians continue to face. And I’ll be a governor who will work very hard to help make their lives better.
“Theses are the kinds of things, unfortunately, that are the dark side of politics. I think it is extremely regrettable when anyone tries to bring a candidate’s family into a political campaign.
“My children have suffered and will continue to suffer the consequences of an effort where they put all of their strengths, all of their time, all of their energies into trying to be a successful small business. That’s what Georgia ought to encourage.
“That’s what has made our state and our country strong – people who are willing to invest their lives, invest their own fortunes, and invest their futures. I am proud that my children were willing to take this venture. My wife and I still stand behind them. We’ll live up to our obligations, and we will move forward.
“I thank you for all that you’ve done. I ask you to continue to work very, very hard. November 2 is coming quickly. This is the kind of campaign where people need to understand that our state has great strengths. Just as families and individuals have suffered the consequences of a downturned economy, so has our state.
“The lessons that all of us learn from that are the kind of lessons that will not only make families and individuals, but will make our state stronger. That’s the kind of leadership I’ll provide. Thank you once again for all of your support, thank you for your prayers. Let’s get out and work extremely hard. That’s what my wife and my family and all of us are going to do…..”
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303 comments Add your comment
Todd
September 17th, 2010
1:23 pm
To all of you brain-dead “I’m going to support Nathan…he’s a good man.” This is exactly why this country is in the situation it’s in. We’ve got to make a stand and kick these inept politicians to the curb. I’ve been a Rebub all my life and will not vote for this fool if he was running against Pelosi. I cannot believe Deal and Barnes are the best we have to offer. Doesn’t say much for the voters of this state. And to all of you who keep saying…he’s a good man he just tried to help his daughter. Jethro had a good heart too but Jed wouldn’t let him near the money. Deal is a disaster in an important election. The way I see it, we are in for a rough 4 years either way. Thanks Newt and all you bible thumping rurals!
Ted Striker
September 17th, 2010
1:24 pm
Deal is done.
gm
September 17th, 2010
1:24 pm
Td: Feed up with you: Have no clue what a communist is Hannity, Beck are the most Anti Americans in the country,
Please Hicks reseach the world socialist before you throw it out there.
One thing I agree with you on td, Most of the bigots live north of 285 will vote for this scum.
PM
September 17th, 2010
1:29 pm
The problem is Republicans can’t understand…. This guy is no good. He’s a corrupt, self-centered, self-absorbed creep who’d like to be in the governor’s mansion where he can double up on his cheating. It’s about him. It’s about, well, I really don’t know what it’s about, ’cause I’m not a corrupt human being. Please, Republicans even, you are going to have to vote for Barnes (Please!!) if you can’t get this crook Deal thrown aside!! You all do know that, right!!?? (My husband lamented last night that, no, “you all” don’t know that..) Tell me it ain’t so (and that you will NOT vote for Deal….!)
PM
Jay
September 17th, 2010
1:29 pm
Nathan just admitted that he filed false statements in his personal financial statements:
Please read again what Congressmane Deal stated (or what was reported in this story)
“Like any small business, if you are a stockholder, you are sometimes asked to be guarantors on a loan for the corporation. That’s exactly what those loans are. The assets of the corporation and the assets that we own as individuals for the business far exceed any of those obligations.
Well, Congressman Deal did not list his interest in the company (Wilder Outdoors Inc.) as a direct ownership interest in a business entity as required by law. Just keep talking Congressman Deal just makes it better
Karen Handel Supporter
September 17th, 2010
1:29 pm
Deal is the biggest lier and he need to be in jail.He spread lies about Karen Handel I hope he suffer in the polls. I am a republican who voting for Barnes
td
September 17th, 2010
1:30 pm
Jonathan, If I am such a “dumbass” then answer me this: Why are all of these businesses willing to leave NY, Mass, Ohio and other northern cities? Could it be because they get less regulation, less taxes and no unions here in Georgia? And what type of people that are pro business and do these types of things? Now who looks like a “dunbass”?
BTW: You are one of only a few people I know that was born in Georgia and are still a Democrat. Most of the conservative ones switched parties about 10 years ago, when as Zell Miller out it “I did not leave the democratic party they left me”.
John Galt
September 17th, 2010
1:30 pm
There is an alternative to the non-entities nominated by the Establishment party, This could be the Libertarian party’s year!
professional skeptic
September 17th, 2010
1:30 pm
Buck Necked
September 17th, 2010
1:23 pm
If you liquidate these assets to cover the 2 million. Who is buying them? Are they political friends helping you out? Special interest looking for you to return the favor should you be elected?
Inquiring minds definitely want to know.
YourDaddyWasRight
September 17th, 2010
1:32 pm
td — If Deal’s indicted (after Georgians are foolish enough to vote him into office), and Casey Cagle has to assume the duties of Governor, you’re going to be equally disappointed when the stuff comes out about Casey and a tryst he supposedly had with a Senate intern. Remember when he decided not to run for Governor because he didn’t want to go through a tough statewide campaign with a bad neck, then he had neck surgery and decided he’d run again for Lt. Governor, an office requiring a potentiallt tough statewide campaign? Do you remember that? That decision not to run for Governior was made after this supposed tryst occurred. Why do you think he had a change of heart? Use your brain and figure it out…or ask the Georgia GOP bosses what happened to change Casey’s mind.
Sick&Tired
September 17th, 2010
1:32 pm
Please leave Nathan Deal alone. He’s exactly the kind of politicians that the conservative party likes to support. He’s financially sound, a small business owner and his morals are beyond reproach. He’s a family man who pays all of his bills and taxes on time. He would never hide anything from his beloved supporters. He has those good old fashion southern values and is family oriented. And he hasn’t cheated on his wife, YET.
The democrats are just out to get him, just look at how they are pitching his financial mess as something to worry about. We don’t have to worry, if the kitchen gets too hot in the Governor’s mansion; Governor Deal will just leave. He did the same thing as our Representative, when things got hot in D.C. There is absolutely nothing unethical about walking away from your obligations; financial or otherwise. It’s the way we do things; in our world.
Deal is a wonderful father who chooses to help his daughter and son-in-law; because they worked hard for their $2 million dollar assistance. Plus, if he had died and they inherited the money, it would have gone mostly to taxes. No good conservative would want that to happen to his “middle” daughter and son-in-law; because they worked so hard to earn their way in life. I mean you have to work hard to please a crook. Oops, did I say that. Well, I have to be honest some time.
People like Deal and me don’t like handouts to the poor, but we are willing to borrow money to handout to our family. It’s the conservative way. Plus, if you borrow money you must show you can pay it back. Or I guess the banks will garnish Deals pay; when he becomes Governor. I’m sure since he will be living in the Governors mansions for free, with the bills paid and food on the table; it won’t matter that he’s not getting paid. We have absolutely nothing to worry about. It’s the conservative way.
Jerry Mandering
September 17th, 2010
1:32 pm
I so don’t wish to vote for Ol’ Roy but Nathan is making it difficult for me right now. “Overlooking” more than $2 million in debt is a real stretch. My candidate was David Poythress, a man of honor. Would that he were on the ballot. These two clowns are not in the same league.
YourDaddy
September 17th, 2010
1:33 pm
Enter your comments here
CHIEF OF SMOKE
September 17th, 2010
1:35 pm
Roy does not have Financial problems. He made $5M last year,
However, He does not understand the middle class taxpayer who is struggling with the Socialist Policies of the Obama Administration. After all he is a LIBERAL
Therefore I am voting for Deal
jj
September 17th, 2010
1:36 pm
td Just what businesses are you talking about that are leaving ny, mass, and ohio. Give us the names of these companies.
Wade
September 17th, 2010
1:38 pm
What a bunch of crap he is trying to sell!!!!! What does Nathan Deal know about the average Georgian? NOTHING! The average Georgian doesn’t get to practice “oversight” with their personal finances! If I were to forget I had two million dollars in loans I would be called CRAZY! He is not an ethical person and the only reason he left congress was to avoid ethics charges and who knows what else! I am sick of hearing excuses for this lousy candidate! VOTE ROY BARNES FOR GOVERNOR, in November and elected someone who is not afraid to tell you about his personal finances!
PM
September 17th, 2010
1:38 pm
That is really sad (to chief of Smoke). Voting for Deal. Tell me, can you remove your blinders? Tell me, what in the *(*** is wrong with you?! Georgia needs help and you, well, never mind. There is something seriously wrong w/ someone who’d vote for Deal in the face of this. Probably something “wrong” though, for someone to appreciate the self-centered Republican platform. It’s either called hatefulness or plain denial; don’t know which!!
PM
td
September 17th, 2010
1:39 pm
Liberal on a Red Island, And the liberals do not do the same thing by saying every Republican candidate is a racist just trying to put you back in slavery or the conservatives are trying to take away your social security? Please give me a break.
GOT THE FAITH
September 17th, 2010
1:39 pm
I usually don’t waste my time reading past articles,sometimes when I’m caught up I will scan a few written by the majority that apparently are using the company clock or on welfare to attack Mr. Deal.I wonder just how many of you have ever met Nathan or shook his hand or even ask him a question?I have known Nathan for only a short period of time,maybe 9 months and prior to that just like many of you only knew what I got from the news and on the street.
Roswell Republican
September 17th, 2010
1:39 pm
Anyone who voted for this crook over Karen Handel is clueless and shame on you.
If you did not see this coming then tell me what were you thinking?
He should pull out of the race. If he does not then he is a narcissist!
He really expects us to believe this has nothing to do with his ability to govern….? What a joke.
Newt
September 17th, 2010
1:40 pm
Excellent, so now the Real Deal is channeling Bill Clinton. What exactly is a Republican these days?
LRM216
September 17th, 2010
1:40 pm
Does he realize that he is not running for Father of the Year, but for Governor of Georgia? I find his running for any office at this time to be extremely frightening.
Karen Handel Supporter
September 17th, 2010
1:41 pm
I bet Karen Handel saying look at these fools who got Deal now they wish I was running against Barnes. Deal is the biggest disgrace to Georgia.
The Other Shoe
September 17th, 2010
1:41 pm
Td is correct, the ballots have been printed and early voting has started. Interesting timing of all this new Deal news, huh?
DP
September 17th, 2010
1:42 pm
It’s really pathetic that the best the Republican Party can do is Nathan Deal. One of his businesses had a no bid sweetheart deal with the state of GA for several years. He lied on his financial disclosure forms. His judgment is so bad that he and his wife put their net worth at risk on a high risk retail venture, then he wraps it in what used to be the refuge of Democrats, “for the children”. The bank that made the loans on this venture was closed by the FDIC and cited for its bad lending practices. Does anybody think that Deal’s status as a member of the U.S. Congress didn’t have anything to do with his ability to even get the loans?
That’s all we need, a broke crook in the governor’s mansion, looking to quickly rebuild his net worth.
Elizabeth212
September 17th, 2010
1:42 pm
I like what GABlue said – “He insults our intelligence AGAIN by claiming to understand our pain? Raise your hand if you think the average Georgian can get a loan for $2 mil. Raise your hand if you think he *really* plans to pay off $4 mil in debt with a $135K/yr job.”
He has no clue what the average person is going through in this economy. And I obviously have no clue how much more $$$ can be “made” by the governor than the salary itself. Someone in his financial mess wants to be governor, at the relatively paltry salary it pays??? That tells me all I need to know. My Mama did not raise a fool.
Sick&Tired
September 17th, 2010
1:43 pm
GOT THE FAITH
September 17th, 2010
1:39 pm
YEAH, we are all on welfare.. Same old arguments……
Forlorn Republican
September 17th, 2010
1:45 pm
Sick&Tired:
“Please leave Nathan Deal alone. He’s exactly the kind of politicians that the conservative party likes to support. He’s financially sound, a small business owner and his morals are beyond reproach. He’s a family man who pays all of his bills and taxes on time. He would never hide anything from his beloved supporters. He has those good old fashion southern values and is family oriented. And he hasn’t cheated on his wife, YET.”
Are you following the news? He is not financially sound and he has hidden everything from his beloved supporters. One does not get over $2MM in credit on a Congressional income! If he has other income from other sources, he sure hasn’t disclosed it. He is NOT someone this conservative will support!
ginn
September 17th, 2010
1:45 pm
I’d be willing to bet that Deal will have a private fundraisers to help pay off his debts just so they can get him in office so they dont have to have a democratic gov.
Neither one of them is anything to write home about.
YourDaddyWasRight
September 17th, 2010
1:46 pm
jj- td must be referring to businesses like that Easter Bunny factory being built in Dalton to replace all the carpet mills that closed down and moved to Mexico. And, also he must be talking about that Ohio farmer who’s been considering growing pumpkins near Nahunta. He expects to employ probably 5 or 6 people. The rest of those big jobs, by big industries will continue to remain up north where the workforce is far better educated and where high school dropout rates are not as high as Georgia’s.
Aquagirl
September 17th, 2010
1:46 pm
Businesses are moving here because GA politicians are cheaper. For $5 million they can have their very own Governor! I’m sure Blagojevich would have cost them a heap more.
jj
September 17th, 2010
1:47 pm
td :Liberal on a Red Island, And the liberals do not do the same thing by saying every Republican candidate is a racist just trying to put you back in slavery or the conservatives are trying to take away your social security?
Please name names or stop using generalities.
GaBlue
September 17th, 2010
1:48 pm
td,
I am from Georgia and MOST of my relatives are still here and still Democrats. (I know you were talking about white folks, so I’ll tell you they don’t come any whiter than me.) You want to talk about the flip from D to R in this state? Oh! Oh! Oh! I can answer that, Mr. Kotter.
The Republican “southern strategy” started long before Reagan had the bad taste to announce in Philadelphia, Mississippi. (Where yankee civil rights workers go to die.) When the civil rights movement grew in strength and visibility, there were two kinds of Southern Democrats: (1) Those like my family who said, “This is right. This needs to happen.” (2) Those who said, we don’t need those n*****s thinking they have rights! The GOP gobbled up type 2 by explaining that whatever problems they had, it was the fault of n****s and “libruls.” NEXT WAVE: Hard-working blue collar and barely white collar folks who found themselves recessioned in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. They came down here to the land of cotton, pecans, and snowless winters to discover something AMAZING! Not only was there work to be had, but they could afford to buy a house in our cheap southern land. They could get something NICE! They worked and wound up next to golf courses, living the ‘merican dream, and then looked at the less fortunate and said, “I got MINE! I worked for it! Scrooooooo them!” Never mind that the “wealth” they worked for had more to do with real estate prices than anything else. The GOP makes them feel “special” while still pointing fingers at the n****s and the little brown people as the source of all their maladies.
Lots of us are still Democrats. You just don’t see us because we’re not marching around the town square with tea bags hanging off our hats and signs that compare the President to Hitler.
You’re welcome.
GOT THE FAITH
September 17th, 2010
1:50 pm
But,over the last several months I have come to know the real Nathan Deal and let me tell you, you don’t know his heart,his compassion,his loyalty to God,his family,and his love for this state and great nation.I had the honor to hear him speak last Friday to a group of south Ga. sheriff’s and when he finished and asked for questions a sherrif boldly and simply ask “What is your feelings about Jesus”?
wes
September 17th, 2010
1:52 pm
Our state will become the laughing stock of the South if Nathan Deal gets elected.
REALy.
Liberal on a Red Island
September 17th, 2010
1:52 pm
td – Go do a little research on the plan to privatize social security. The Republicans ARE trying to take away your social security.
How about tax cuts for the rich that they KNOW will not result in jobs? Not to mention they are willing to hold tax cuts on the middle class hostage to get them. The Republicans ARE trying to return the working man to slavery.
tom
September 17th, 2010
1:52 pm
To Aquagirl: What companies are moving here to Georgia? Then how come our unemployment rate went up to 10%? td: You’re delusional, companies are not beating down the doors to come to this dunghole state. We have one of the lowest tax rates for corporations and one of the highest unemployment rates. Where are all the jobs that low taxes are supposed to bring!
catlady
September 17th, 2010
1:54 pm
The cost of Nathan Deal’s loans = how many illegal aliens?400? 500?
Sick&Tired
September 17th, 2010
1:55 pm
Forlorn Republican
September 17th, 2010
1:45 pm
You really are a Republican! It was meant to be funny, although his position as a posible candidate for governor is NOT FUNNY. It’s the scariest thing I have seen in 30 years. Only a complete fool would vote for this man.
catlady
September 17th, 2010
1:56 pm
Got the Faith: A better question–what are Jesus’ feelings about what Nathan Deal has done?
catlady
September 17th, 2010
1:57 pm
BTW, Got the Faith, it should be What ARE your feelings….plural subject, plural predicate. 3rd grade stuff.
Tea Partier & Proud of It
September 17th, 2010
1:59 pm
We need to return to what our Founding Fathers gave us — a Constitution that laid out very precisely what governments’ role should be. Where in the Constitution does it say we should have Social Security, Medicare, or any of these other communist-inspired, social programs? Where does it say that? And we should also consider returning just to our first Ten Amendments. The others are unnecessary and are also inspired by special interest groups like feminists and other radical elements. We need men like Nathan Deal who are true conservatives and are being attacked by radicals and communists. I/m voting for Nathan Deal, a true American and Georgian.
bigpoppa
September 17th, 2010
1:59 pm
td must stand for to dumb to face reality. It’s moron’s such as you that helps get crooks like deal in position to rob and steal what’s left of Georgia’s dignity and puts the state 2 steps behind ala. and mississippi. if obama called himself a conservation and switched parties you would still be stuck on the tint of his skin. wake up!!!!
Cekker
September 17th, 2010
2:01 pm
Is there any way to get Karen Handel back on the ticket? I knew this jerk had more baggage than Hartsfield!
Aquagirl
September 17th, 2010
2:02 pm
tom, don’t ask me, ask td. He has all the inside info on this mass migration. I was simply offering an explanation as to why such a thing might happen. Aside from chicken factories and other illegal-friendly jobs I don’t see much evidence of job growth. Certainly the biotech companies aren’t beating down our door, thanks to wingnuts who think a collection of 16 frozen cells has full Constitutional rights.
Heck, I bet Nathan would live up to his “Real Deal” slogan for anyone in the market for a politician. Make him an offer folks, he’ll negotiate, unlike Blago who would bust your n^#$
td
September 17th, 2010
2:03 pm
jj, The current chairman of the Fulton county commission did such a thing during the last election cycle. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson do it all the time. Did not Jimmy Carter say something like: If you do not vote for Obama then you are a racist only two years ago? I think Nancy Pelosi went to Florida and told the Old people that GW Bush and the Republicans were going to take their SS checks away from them if his SS reform went through.
YourDaddyWasRight
September 17th, 2010
2:06 pm
GaBlue@1:50 PM— Well said.
td
September 17th, 2010
2:08 pm
bigpoppa, Go ahead and pull out that race card. When you can not when an argument with facts then pull out the race card. Just so you know, I was a huge supporter of Herman Cain and stood behind Clarence Thomas to the end. Did you? Hell no you did not because they were conservatives.
Relentless
September 17th, 2010
2:09 pm
IT IS NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF AN PARENTS NEAR RETIREMENT AGE TO FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THEIR CHILDREN. That is called ENABELING BAD BEHAVIOR. The logical conclusion to this statement is that since Mr. Deal is not insolvent, and his daughter has declared bankruptcy, he and his wife should borrow even more money to help them with their financial situation. What kind of message is he sending to his own grown children, as well as mine, who keep asking for money. May answer to them has been “support yourself”. I guess using Mr. Deal’s line of reasoning, I am not a caring parent!
Jonathan
September 17th, 2010
2:10 pm
Aquagirl you are dead right, pretty much everytine we try and relocate someone here for an open position we start to get pushback because of the idiots giving our state a bad name with their retarded behaviour.
Only crap companies will move here for tax breaks. Decent companies want an environment where they can attract skilled an educated workers. Its isn’t rocket science.
GA Republicand will have our state in a race to the bottom competing for chicken farm business with other poor statesas opposed to getting world class companies to move here.