Deal: I'll Back Gingrich for President

ATLANTA - Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal said Tuesday he'll support Newt Gingrich if he runs for president in 2012.

Deal met last week with Gingrich and said they discussed the former House speaker's possible White House bid.

"I think it's no secret that he is making exploratory actions to determine whether or not he is going to pursue the presidency of the United States," Deal said. "He indicated to me that he is still in the deciding process."

Asked if he would back Gingrich, Deal replied: "I will."

Gingrich threw his support behind Deal's gubeatorial bid during the GOP runoff last summer. The high-profile endorsement from the longtime Cobb County congressman buished Deal's conservative credentials and helped counteract former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin visit to the state to stump for Deal's GOP rival, former Secretary of State Karen Handel.

Deal defeated Handel by some 2,500 votes and went on to claim the goveor's mansion in November's general election.

Gingrich and Deal served in the U.S. House together from Georgia and when then-Democrat Deal swapped parties to become a Republican, he added to Gingrich's Republican majority.

On Tuesday, Deal called Gingrich "a longtime friend."

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. He has said Georgia will play a large role in any presidential campaign.

He's been working to line up support in the state.

House Speaker David Ralston said Gingrich has asked for a meeting but they have yet to set a date.

"I'll certainly give him a listen," Ralston said.