In an independent poll released Thursday, Rasmussen Reports shows for a fourth straight time that Republican candidate Nathan Deal is the strongest candidate in a head-to-head matchup with Democrat Roy Barnes. In the poll on the Georgia governor`s race conducted a day after Deal captured a spot in the Aug. 10 Republican runoff, Deal had 49 percent to Barnes` 43 percent. This gives Deal an advantage beyond the poll`s margin of error. 

Deal`s opponent in the runoff, Karen Handel, managed only a 45-44 lead over Barnes, putting the two candidates in a statistical tie.

The poll also showed that 54 percent of those polled believe Nathan is a conservative. That is 10 percent higher than Handel, who has received a `Pants on Fire` rating from Politifact for her efforts to deny her liberal record.

Also this week, Barnes issued a challenge for the eventual Republican nominee to debate him face-to-face without a panel of reporters.

Coosa Valley News