Georgia gov would back Gingrich for president

[January 26, 2011]  ATLANTA. Ga. (AP) -- Georgia's new governor says he'll support Newt Gingrich if the former House Speaker runs for president in 2012.

Nathan Deal said Tuesday that they met last week and Gingrich said he was still deciding whether to run for the Republican nomination.

The two served together from Georgia in the U.S. House. Gingrich threw his support behind Deal's gubernatorial bid during a GOP runoff last summer.

Gingrich has said he will decide by the end of February whether to launch an exploratory campaign and will announce his decision in early March.

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Online:

Newt Gingrich: http://www.newt.org/

[Associated Press; By SHANNON McCAFFREY]

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