Huckabee stumps for Deal in Gainesville

GAINESVILLE - Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee said Sunday in Gainesville he came to support former Congressman Nathan Deal's election bid for governor, not lay any foundation for a possible presidential campaign in 2012.

Huckabee, a 2008 Republican presidential nominee contender, appeared with Deal at a campaign rally at the Gainesville Civic Center, two days before the August 10th Republican gubernatorial runoff. There were a few 'Huckabee for President' signs in the crowd that filled the Civic Center's main ball room.

"This is nothing about the future," Huckabee told reporters. "This is about the now and I think it's really about selecting somebody who will understand that people in Georgia need jobs. Right now if a person is unemployed they're not thinking about who's going to get elected in 2012, they're thinking about a job they can go fill."

Huckabee told a room full of supporters he was in Gainesville to support Deal because Deal was there for him and other governors for Medicaid reform while Deal was 9th District Congressman.

"When we needed to find a way to save the taxpayers' money and make a system more efficient for states, this is the one guy in Congress who was our 'go-to' guy that made it happen," Huckabee said. "I know that when he gets to be a governor, he already understands a lot of the toughest issues he's going to face."

Deal said he was encouraged by the support he's picking up from voters who supported former Republican gubernatorial candidates.

"We've picked up tremendous support from all of the other candidates and their grass roots organizations and we're pleased with that," Deal said, citing he also had the endorsement of leading conservative groups in the state. "To have their support and the support of those who put stock in what they say and who they endorse does make a difference."

Deal added he felt he was the Republican candidate to beat Democrat Roy Barnes in December.

"I think when you ask that bottom line question, who is best qualified and who is most likely to win in November, I think the answer is very clear that I am that candidate, Deal said.