GA Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Nathan Deal Financial Woes Make Him Unsuitable to Become Governor

Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidate Nathan Deal is in for a rough ride because he son-in-law Chapter 7 bankruptcy debacle and the fact that he loaned them millions for a failed outdoors business. You see, you can't lie on your bankruptcy documents and expect to be given a slap on the wrist. Well, let me back up.... Deal's daughter, Carrie, and her husband, Clint Wilder, filed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition in 2009 for their failed business that left them with $2.1 million in debts, but it seems that Wilder neglected to inform the court, by way of his paperwork, that he had filed for bankruptcy in 2001. The federal bankruptcy law states that debtors must wait at least eight years between bankruptcies to have their debts discharged under Chapter 7 of the federal bankruptcy code.

So, Carrie & Clint Wilder have a big problem on their hands, not to mention the fact that Nathan Deal has a big public relations mark from this as well. You see, the couple could see their bankruptcy case tossed out and possibly face criminal charges for lying under oath. Nathan Deal's office was quick to say the couple are not public figures and not running for office, but it does speak to his ability to make sound financial decisions. He should have made sure he and his wife were named in the bankruptcy petition as creditors. He seems to chock that up to an error.

Further, questions still swirl around Deal's personal finance. This time his latest financial disclosure has raised eyebrows.

Deal might not have followed state guidelines for valuing certain properties in the amended financial disclosure for 2009 that he filed Sept. 23 with the State Ethics Commission. The disclosure might reflect fair-market values, but they do not appear to conform with state guidelines.

The Sept. 23 disclosure, filed seven days after a previous amended disclosure, came after scrutiny about turmoil in his personal finances arose and certain assets and liabilities appeared to be omitted from earlier reports. Source

Though I find former Gov. Roy Barnes a less than stellar candidate, particularly since he served in the same position previously and was not terribly effective, I find Nathan Deal's financial blemishes a big deterrent to getting my vote. I just don't see how he can be a good governor fiscally speaking. If you can't handle your own finances, then how can we expect you to do the same for Georgia, a state that has seen high unemployment and foreclosure rates, as well as shaky school test scores, high crime rates in certain pockets and a whole host of other problems. Roy Barnes is the lesser of two evils. With Nathan Deal, there's not telling what other financial issue will be uncovered. Is he really worth the hassle?