The Nathan Deal for Governor campaign touts their candidate as the "Real Deal."

After today, they might need to change it to: "Raw Deal."

The former Gainesville Congressman's once-formidable gubernatorial campaign is now reeling from a major defection: 6th District Republican Congressman Tom Price, a conservative icon in North Fulton.

Price, an early Deal supporter, changed gubernatorial aspirant horses today and endorsed former Sec. of State Karen Handel in the GOP primary, abandoning Deal, who he backed last year.

Price said he contacted Deal about a month ago and told his former colleague he was withdrawing his support. Price didn't elaborate on the details of that discussion. "This is just part of what happens in a long election cycle," the former Roswell surgeon affirmed. "There are a lot of twists and turns along the way, and no one can predict a year or so out in politics what will happen."

But Deal didn't buy it. "As a native Georgian, I was brought up to believe that a person's word is his bond, which is why I'm grateful to the conservative Georgians who've remained loyal to our cause," the former Washington legislator said. "It's their support that has made me the only Republican with a seven point lead over Roy Barnes."

Deal also questioned his former supporter's political judgment. "Maybe now Tom can try to help Karen understand why her support of gay adoption offends the conservative values of Georgians throughout the state, let alone those who vote in the Republican primary."

Deal spokesman Brian Robinson added, "I'm perplexed as to why the leader of the highly conservative U.S. House Study Committee would endorse the only liberal Republican in the race, Karen Handel." Robinson added that Republican primary voters would eventually scope out Handel's voting record. "Karen talked one way but voted another" when she was chairman of the Fulton County Commission, Robinson charged.

BLOW FOR DEAL A BOON FOR HANDEL

Handel spokesman Dan McLagan said that his candidate was "very excited to have the endorsement," and defined it as a watershed event. "Congressman Price's endorsement adds additional enthusiasm to our already surging campaign," he stated. McGlagan predicted that Price's support would further bolster Handel's already high standing with area conservatives.

"I've known Karen a long time and we've worked together on many initiatives," Price said. "Karen continually displays the leadership and courage to be a very effective governor for the people of Georgia." Price added that Handel has been extremely successful in everything she's done.

"Karen will fight for transparency and accountability in our government and has the vision we need to create jobs, cut taxes, improve education and finally tackle the transportation challenges faced by so many Georgians," he concluded.

The popular conservative lawmaker, running unopposed this November for a fourth term, typically amasses over 70 percent of the vote in his Republican-dominated district. He's a coveted campaign event speaker and recently has become a Tea Party darling.

Price relayed that Handel was not only the best choice for governor, but also the lone Republican candidate with the best chance of defeating the Democrat nominee in November.

HANDEL CAMP: ITS KAREN OR OX

McGlagan says it's now clearly a two-person race for the GOP nomination: Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine or Handel.

When contacted, one veteran Republican Georgia campaign consultant, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said bluntly: "Deal's toast."

The consultant said Deal has lost most of his elected official metropolitan support base through defections or retirement, including former Ga. House Speakers Mark Burkhalter and Glenn Richardson, House Majority Whip Jerry Keen, and U.S. Congressman John Linder, who retired, and now Price, who has jumped ship. 

But Robinson countered that recent polls reflect Deal is the only Republican who can beat Democrat front-running nominee, Roy Barnes, statewide.