Nathan Deal says he’ll keep his right-hand man
Much of Nathan Deal’s success on Tuesday can be traced to a tight relationship with Chris Riley, who served as his chief of staff in Congress.
And his campaign manager in the governor’s race. And his pilot as Deal flew around the state.
But the relationship was also the source of many of Deal’s troubles during the recent hostilities. Riley was with Deal at those meetings with state Revenue Commissioner Bart Graham to discuss the congressman’s auto salvage business – the meetings that prompted an investigation with the Office of Congressional Ethics.
The OCE report includes this sentence:
When asked why he would attend the meetings, the Chief of Staff stated that he rarely allows Representative Deal to go anywhere without him, unless it is a family matter.
So the governor-elect’s announcement this morning that Riley would be his chief of staff in the state Capitol provoked no surprise.
The position is one that requires a high degree of personal loyalty. While Deal is a former state senator, he’s been absent from the building for nearly two decades. The governor-elect will be in need of confidants.
Even so, the appointment has provoked a Republican wince here and there.
Deal also named the members of his transition team:
– Rogers Wade, former president of the Georgia Public Policy Foundation;
– John Watson, former chief of staff to Gov. Sonny Perdue, and now a real estate developer;
– Pete Robinson, a former Democratic state senator and one of the most influential lobbyists at the state Capitol;
– And Philip Wilheit, chairman of the Deal campaign and a business partner of the former congressman.
At a news conference with reporters to announce the moves, Deal pledged to disclose the source of all money raised for his inauguration ceremonies on Jan. 10 – but said he hadn’t decided whether or not to put a cap on those contributions.
Deal also reiterated his campaign pledge to place his personal and business assets in a blind trust while governor. “We have somebody lined up to do that, and that should not be a problem,” he said.
The governor-elect declared that he wanted to start a fresh relationship with the press, and promised to reach out to voters who didn’t cast ballots for him. “We’re all Georgians,” he said.
Of Democrat Roy Barnes, the man whom he defeated on Tuesday, the governor-elect said:
”Roy Barnes and I have been friends for a very long time. And I regard him as a very bright individual, a person who has been dedicated to the public service of our state. It is unfortunate sometimes that things are said during the heat of a campaign, that I had hoped had not been said, quite frankly.
“I still regard him as a friend. He is a bright man. I think some of the ideas that he has advocated have merit. And I’ll look forward to working across party lines.”
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73 comments Add your comment
Hall mafia
November 3rd, 2010
2:37 pm
Of course he will keep Riley; he knows all his secrets.
Ralph
November 3rd, 2010
2:55 pm
Jim – I’ll skip reading your leftist posts until the next election year, when I’ll take up exposing your bias again.
Glad it didn’t win over any/enough of the simple minded this go around.
tim
November 3rd, 2010
3:16 pm
Mr Deal…..we’re all Georgians but 47% of us don’t like you!!
missmollie
November 3rd, 2010
3:20 pm
Thanks, Jim…I appreciate all of the efforts of all of the news media and most specifically, macon.com news…even though their blood runs blue most of the time. I hope I can get ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas now this is over…
982
November 3rd, 2010
3:21 pm
“When asked why he would attend the meetings, the Chief of Staff stated that he rarely allows Representative Deal to go anywhere without him, unless it is a family matter.”
I remember when I first read this statement I thought it was so strange. The use of the word “allow” made me wonder if Deal realizes he isn’t “allowed” to go anywhere without Riley. Is Riley Deal’s brain?
Mrs. Glenn Richardson
November 3rd, 2010
3:27 pm
I don’t allow Glenn to go anywhere with me.
pete
November 3rd, 2010
3:30 pm
sounds gay to me.
lmno
November 3rd, 2010
3:42 pm
Several years ago, my wife had a distant cousin relocate to Alabama. The cousin’s husband was transferred there due to his boss being elected to the United States House over there. The husband had worked for the politician for years in various capacities. As my wife and his got re-aquainted, he and I adjourned to the porch for a beverage and talk. Unprovoked, he unloaded what seemed like a decade of pent up frustration with his boss. He said that the man was incapable of making any decisions on his own. That even the smallest He recalled being awoken at 2AM as his boss was trying to decide what tie to wear to an event the next day, another time when his boss was trying to watch a television show he had recorded and couldn’t figure out how to work the VCR. He went on and on, until I finally asked, “How is he capable of representing his district if he is so incompetent?”. My newly met distant family member told me that his boss wasn’t capable of that. In fact, he looked at me like I didn’t know what everyone else knows. He basically indicated that none of these guys do anything except what someone else tells them to do. He said that most of them don’t wipe their rear ends without an advisor to remind them to go front to back and an aide to make sure they’re clean.
I’m sorry, I know that’s off topic, but the comment above about not “allowing” Deal to go anywhere without him reminded me of that night.
Mike
November 3rd, 2010
3:43 pm
Pete
I think you are on to something there! Crooked and Gay!!!
STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES
November 3rd, 2010
3:47 pm
ALL STATE EMPLOYEE NEED TO BE VERY SCARED RIGHT NOW!!! It surprises me the intelligence level of Georgians these days. You would elect a man that is being investigated for his ETHICS into the highest seat of this state? Help me with that one? Why? Are you that pissed off at Obama for trying to clean up Bush’s mess? I am still in a state of shock at those election results. If I hear of anyone I know who didnt vote complaining for the next four years about the state of this state, you will all see me on the 6 o’clock news.
older conservative
November 3rd, 2010
3:49 pm
Mr. Riley has not been my favorite choice for several years. He is responsible for his lack of knowledge while Mr. Deal was a congressman. Seemed to take responsibilities on himself without Mr. Deal’s approval which made contacts with Ga. questionable. Glad Mr. Deal won but hope he does not rely too heavily on the kid from Gainesville.
Goobers
November 3rd, 2010
3:52 pm
Banned?
The Goobernator
November 3rd, 2010
4:25 pm
“It is unfortunate sometimes that things are said during the heat of a campaign, that I had hoped had not been said, quite frankly.” What a crock! Did he use this line on Karen Handel as well?
NOT
Matti
November 3rd, 2010
4:26 pm
Gotta keep your book cooker!
Dumb Jackwipe
November 3rd, 2010
4:30 pm
“You would elect a man that is being investigated for his ETHICS into the highest seat of this state? Help me with that one? Why?”
Duh! The “R” by the name tells us he has values and he’s not one of “those” people. Uh-huh, values, not ethics. No… VAL-YEEEWWWS. Libruls don’t have inny. The R tells us all we need to know.
professional skeptic
November 3rd, 2010
4:38 pm
Assets in a blind trust? What about his even larger liabilities?
I urge the media to watch Deal like a hawk. Every single transaction he enters into should be scrutinized.
David S
November 3rd, 2010
4:40 pm
You had your chance to elect John Monds but you blew it. Fear ruled the day. The economy will rule tomorrow.
phil
November 3rd, 2010
4:41 pm
UGA would have beaten Barnes.
Last Man Standing
November 3rd, 2010
4:54 pm
I’ve done a lot of reading here today. There are many new “screen names” that I suspect are regular bloggers on this site who have seen fit to adopt new identities. The bitterness and anger displayed by some of those blogging here is truly something to behold. To those I say, the election is over and your candidate lost. Get over it. It isn’t as though you weren’t told beforehand what was going to happen. td, Ralph and I, among others, tried and tried to tell you this would happen and the reasons Deal’s election was inevitable.
Governor-elect Deal and the Georgia Legislature face some very real and serious problems in the coming year or two. I am sure that they would appreciate your support as they are required to make some very difficult decisions.
We are all Georgians and all of us want the best for Georgia and all Georgians. To that end, can we put aside this partisan and bitter bickering – at least until the next election?
Dumb Jackwipe
November 3rd, 2010
4:59 pm
I agree with Last Man Standing. SHUT UP and support the team. You dont need to know what they do just trust them because of the R by there name. At least they dont suck like you do, they have values and will cut education as much as they need to so there friends can build more prisins.
Last Man Standing
November 3rd, 2010
5:05 pm
Dumb Jackwipe:
That certainly was a lot less than I was hoping for, but I guess it was predictable.
Dick
November 3rd, 2010
5:13 pm
RE: Stupid is as stupid does. What choice did we really have? We all know Barnes is a crook and liar. You never ask gthe fox to keep and eye on an unlocked chicken coop We can only hope that someone will keep Deal honest. I don’t know of any governors election that wasn’t faced with “the lesser of teh two evils to choose from”
Aquagirl
November 3rd, 2010
5:21 pm
“Very difficult decisions?” Oh, like Amendment 1, placed on the ballot by the General Assembly? The same General Assembly which helped Nathan Deal get the Republican nomination over Karen Handel?
Sorry, I find it hard to support people exploiting the dummies of this State to help their big business pals.
Disgusted Republican
November 3rd, 2010
5:22 pm
Once again, the Deal supporters show themselves. Last Man, td, and Ralph were arrogant, rude and condescending in virtually every post. It’s not that you supported your candidate. It’s HOW. Just like for many, it’s not the deal won, but HOW he won.
I agree that the election is over. And whether a D or a supporter of another R candidate, the campaigns are done and we have what we have as georgia’s governor. We do have a lot that needs to be addressed in our state. And we rightly should give the new team an opportunity. Sadly, today’s pics for the transition team and chief of staff signal more of the same stuff we’ve already seen from deal. But, eve with this, I for one am willing to give these guys a chance.
My sincere hope for our state is that they act with integrity and in our states best interest. The GOP has now want it said needed to get things done — at the state level and even partially at the national level. So enough of the name cLing from deals folks. Plus no one likes a lousy winner. Let your guy — and our Governor — go do what he said he would.
PS before you stArt w the you’re not really a republican lines, I am a diehard R who is trying to be supportive and look past the ethical issues that thus admin starts with. and folks like td, Ralph and last man and the others like them on here and elsewhere make it hard.
LMAO
November 3rd, 2010
5:30 pm
Support? Support? I’ll support the US Attorney in their desire to get off their @$$ and indict Chris Riley the dog washer and Nathan Deal the dog.
Real problems you betcha… problems caused by other republicans. Can’t lay the state problems on the dems that haven’t been around in eight years on any level in this state. LMAO.
I like the tag line… “Let the good ol’ boys games begin”
John
November 3rd, 2010
5:33 pm
Judging by his wife, I reckon nathan deal is about 90.
Mr. Bill
November 3rd, 2010
5:41 pm
This was an election when I wished I could have voted for “None of the Above.” That choice should be on all ballots to let them know how we feel. Just because the party selected them doesn’t mean they are competent.
carter is a fool
November 3rd, 2010
5:56 pm
The election is over and I am now praying for the best for our state. I did this after the community organizer won, however things are not better for our country. He has taken us in the wrong direction.
I pray that Deal learns to manage money and to avoid any more crooked Deals. I pray that he does not follow the lead of Governor GoFish who sold us all for a fishing pond and a few other shady deals.
Georgia needs leadership in Education which has been gutted under Governor GoFish. We need to restore funding, but not just spend money wildly. We need to invest in Education. We need to support our teachers on the front lines and reward the best by restoring funding for National Board Certification. We need to find fair tax policies and work to find a partnership to educate our students and lift them out of last place. We do not need more of the bickering, blame the teachers and disrespect from our leaders and legislature. No tricky moves to cut teacher pensions or to sneak in a merit pay scheme that is not well thought out and is just plain unfair.
Bring back "Babe Alley" to the Capitol!
November 3rd, 2010
6:02 pm
Disgusted Republican
November 3rd, 2010
5:22 pm
“PS before you stArt w the you’re not really a republican lines, I am a diehard R who is trying to be supportive and look past the ethical issues that thus admin starts with. and folks like td, Ralph and last man and the others like them on here and elsewhere make it hard.”
I don’t know about you Disgusted Republican, but folks like td, Ralph and Last Man make anything but hard….That’s what the HOT BABES and trips to Pink Pony are for!
NoJusticeForTheCommonman
November 3rd, 2010
6:09 pm
Deal, like Barnes, is a liar & a crook. Like Perdue, he’ll do nothing right, logical, nor intelligent to correct the state’s problems. Question I have is this: Why is Yancy, now found guilty for killing two people as a sheriff NOT getting the death penalty? This scum needs to die in the chair. Who calls this justice?
philly
November 3rd, 2010
6:09 pm
I’m just glad that all this over. Hopefully Mr. Deal will move the state in the right direction.
DC vs Atlanta
November 3rd, 2010
6:13 pm
So, GOP faithful. Let me ask you this. If it is so important that the Republicans in Washington start investigating the Obama Administration at every corner, why is is important to leave Gov. Deal alone for 4 years? In DC you know have split party government, which is less likely to be corrupt. But, in Atlanta, you will enter total one party control. Remember what absolute power does.
Last Man Standing
November 3rd, 2010
6:36 pm
NoJusticeForTheCommonman:
Lethal Injection has pretty much replaced the electric chair. I doubt that the prosecuting attorney asked for the death penalty. As the trial took place in DeKalb County, I suspect that the jury was predominantly black and not disposed to imposing the death penalty. I agree that the death penalty in this case would be in order.
Get moving guys
November 3rd, 2010
6:42 pm
The unemployment rate is still 10%.
We are still at the bottom of every list of good things, and the top of every list of bad things.
Us folks with pitchforks will be closely monitoring the situation. We’d better see some results.
catlady
November 3rd, 2010
7:03 pm
Well, the guy has served Nathan well. I mean, he isn’t in jail yet. He probably knows “where the bodies are buried” so it is hard to argue with the idea.
Moderate
November 3rd, 2010
7:03 pm
We have a governor. Now give him a chance to make good on his commitments. We were presented with two flawed candidates for governor. Sounds a bit like the last Presidential election. One of the things that Roy’s supporters don’t understand is that a large number of folks, including a lot of Democrats didn’t like King Roy the last time and still don’t like him.
Bobby Anthony
November 3rd, 2010
7:35 pm
I am very pleased that Barnes lost.
Martin Williams
November 3rd, 2010
7:59 pm
I am not truly surprise at the election of Mr.Deal as the head of State for Georgia. It tells me a million things about how corrupt the Southern States are. I truly believe the Southern States with a little help from some mid Western States are going to bring this great country that we call the United States of America soon to be a true Banana republic. How can an idiot like Deal be a head of State….again, because the GOP do not care for women leadership. Good luck Sarah Palin. Come 2012, Sarah will be kicked to the curb for a male leadership and Obama will get his second term.
UNaffiliated Voter
November 3rd, 2010
8:13 pm
STRIVE to be SMARTER than the democrackkks WANT you to BE! Always!
Be THANKFUL that Roy Barnes was defeated!
Mike
November 3rd, 2010
8:18 pm
Placing your “assets” into a blind trust is not a very difficult campaign pledge to make when you don’t have any assets. On a positive note, the trustee fees won’t be very high.
LMAO
November 3rd, 2010
8:32 pm
I’m wiling to bet Deal will come out of office a millionaire if not a convicted felon.
The Centrist
November 3rd, 2010
8:56 pm
Now that the election is over, what is Deal’s plan to create jobs in Georgia and the GOP (Johnny) in DC? Didn’t I hear somewhere that government can not create jobs? Is there a conflict here or is it just my imagination?
khc
November 3rd, 2010
8:58 pm
BA you wont be smiling when he underfunds the TRS
know the truth
November 3rd, 2010
9:03 pm
The AJC left hanging on my hotel door this morning will come in handy next week after an enjoyable,long over due mulett fishing trip to the coast.I even got two extra copies from the bellhop since your now local tabloid is no longer availiable below the Mason Dixon line.Heck,should have gotten the hole dang stack cause the mulett are sure to be plentifull since all you dumacrats will still be busy lickin your sore behinds but didn’t wanna risk being arrested for trafficing abunch of bull hockey to good ole south Ga.Ain’t it sweet to live in dixie?Got cottenfields in my windshield and bull butter in my rearview.Bye bye yall and by the way did yall know there’s a new DEAL in Ga?Yeap gotta new deck of cards!! Praise God
Debbie Dooley
November 3rd, 2010
9:26 pm
Governor Elect Deal needs to agree to tough ethics reform. I can tell you that tea parties across Georgia will be pushing hard for tough ethics reform. Will be interesting to see if Governor Elect Deal would support that or if he will butt heads with the tea party over ethics.
Disappointed to see he has prominent lobbyists as part of his transition team.
the original and still the best John Galt
November 3rd, 2010
9:31 pm
At least the state will now have a Revenue Commissioner with some sense. As Nathan Deal has said several times, it was incredible that Black Bart would pull the stunts he pulled. Without doubt it is Bart being investigated by a Federal Grand Jury.
“If you could buy Bart for what he’s really worth, and sell him for what he thinks he’s worth, you’d have it made.”
Blago
November 3rd, 2010
9:38 pm
Hey, he was such an awesome congressman, why change the team?
janet
November 3rd, 2010
9:48 pm
Deal and the other Republicans are now talking about getting things done in this state.
Did I miss something or havent they been in control for the last 8 years in Georgia?
And look where they got us? Without Atlanta, Georgia would be considered a third world country. So here we go with the pork to the rural areas and Atlanta, the engine driving what is left of our economy will get the crumbs.
Nancy Pelosi's Sister
November 3rd, 2010
10:29 pm
Last Man Standing
4:54 pm
“We are all Georgians and all of us want the best for Georgia and all Georgians. To that end, can we put aside this partisan and bitter bickering – at least until the next election?”
Well, LMS has issued his edict that we are all to behave and not cause any trouble until he gives us permission and we must raise our hands!
OK, sure we will end this partisan bickering until the next election – just like you gave up partisan politics and gave President Obama a chance after he was elected! NOT!! You nasty Repubs jumped on him before he had finished taking the oath of office and you have given him hell every day since!! So, following your lead, that is what we will do with “Governor” Deal, at least until he is arrested and indicted. I hope he will not have one easy day until his term is over – however it ends!! Sorry, LMS, you do not dictate to everyone the way you do to td and Ralph. P.S. Send back that SS check today, it’s Socialism you know!
Billy Bob
November 3rd, 2010
10:31 pm
Deal needs to get off to a good start by firing ALL agency heads, advisors, etc. who were part of the Perdue administration……otherwise, garbage-in – garbage-out!