By John Fredericks / Staff

In what could be a game changer in the July 20 Republican gubernatorial primary, Karen Handel got a huge boost today when 2008 Republican candidate for Vice President Sarah Palin endorsed the former secretary of state for Georgia Governor.

“I’m proud to lend my support to a great common sense conservative woman running for governor this year in the Peach State,” Palin said in a prepared statement. The 2008 Republican nominee for Vice President visited Georgia two weeks ago on a church ministry sponsored mission tour, where she reportedly met with Handel and her staff. “My recent visit back to this beautiful area allowed me to meet more of the patriotic Americans who call Georgia home and who are ready for a reformer to help strengthen their families, businesses, their state and ultimately our United States. Karen Handel is that reformer,” Palin said. “Throughout her career in public office -- from serving as Chairman of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners to Georgia’s Secretary of State -- Karen has brought the common sense fiscal discipline and positive change in government that is needed now more than ever.”

Palin called Handel an “underdog in the race,” saying that was a good thing.

“This pro-life, pro-Constitutionalist with a can-do attitude and a record of fighting for ethics in government is ready to serve in the governor’s office. She’ll balance budgets and help spur Georgia’s economy. Her plan will contribute to America’s roadmap which can benefit all of us,” Palin concluded.

“I am humbled and truly excited to receive the endorsement of Governor Sarah Palin,” Handel said. “She is a true Republican leader and conservative reformer who isn’t afraid to stand up for what she thinks is right. I am proud to have the Governor’s support and I know it will have a tremendous impact on our campaign.”

The Palin endorsement, first reported in The Beacon several weeks ago as likely, is expected to bring Handel much needed money while bolstering her conservative credentials, under fire from rivals, across the state.

DEAL GETS HIS OWN BIG GUN TO BACK HIM

Former U.S Congressman Nathan Deal, in a dead-heat battle with Handel, former state senator Eric Johnson, and Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine for a spot in the August run-off, got a big gun endorsement of his own a day later: former U.S. Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, from Georgia. “Nathan’s an old friend, and I’ve endorsed him,” Gingrich said. “I think he’d be a good governor. He’s a very solid practical conservative. He knows a lot about how to govern.”

But the Deal camp still brushed off the Palin endorsement. “Evidently Sarah Palin hasn’t followed the race too closely, or she would have known she just lent her name to the most liberal and prolific liar in the governor’s race,” said Deal campaign spokesman Brian Robinson.  “Just last night Handel finally admitted to writing a membership check to the gay activist Log Cabin Republican group, after denying it for weeks,” Robinson noted. “It’s just the most recent example of a string of lies, then denials, then admissions to have come out of her mouth in the last month and a half alone.”

Robinson says Deal has more conservative endorsements from Georgia’s state legislators and the state’s U.S. Congressional delegation than any other candidate. “These are regular Georgians who know the issues and the candidates very well,” Robinson stated. “Our support comes from people who can see Atlanta from their front porch, not Russia.”

Robinson added that the last two Handel endorsements -- Arizona Governor Jan Brewer (R) last week and Palin today -- are from “politicians who live a half a continent away from Georgia.”

“Apparently, the farther you get away from Georgia,” Robinson concluded, “the better Karen Handel looks to you.”