Romney to endorse Handel in Georgia runoff ("Me, too! Me, too!")

CNN's Political Ticker ^ | July 21, 2010 | Peter Hamby

[2ndDivisionVet]

A day after advancing to Georgia's Republican gubernatorial runoff as the favorite to win the nomination, Karen Handel picked up the support of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, CNN has learned.

"A successful businesswoman and public servant, Karen Handel's blend of executive, political, and business experience is just what Georgia needs at this critical time," Romney said in a statement Wednesday. "The leadership skills that she has honed in both the private and public sectors will enable her to make tough decisions and enact the reforms needed to get the economy back on track and foster job creation."

Handel and Rep. Nathan Deal emerged from a four-way primary battle and will now face off in the Aug. 10 runoff. Handel was boosted in the primary by endorsements from Sarah Palin and Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer. Deal is backed by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who represented Georgia's sixth congressional district for two decades.

Romney stayed out of the primary, an aide said, because one of the candidates, state Sen. Eric Johnson, had backed Romney during his 2008 presidential bid.

[Always A Marine]

Just so you know ...

Yeah, I heard that while traveling today. It doesn't surprise me that Romney would support the least conservative candidate in the race. But I am still disappointed that Sarah endorsed Karen Handel to sabotage Nathan Deal.

Karen Handel is a former dues-paying member of Log Cabin Republicans who denied ever giving them money -- until a copy of her handwritten dues check appeared. Perhaps Handel's not as conservative as she claims; her past denials of the payment certainly impugn her veracity. An unfortunate choice by Sarah Palin, and by Mitt Romney.