After a decade of debate, Georgia now has a ‘religious liberty’ law

The target of all of that pressure was Deal.

“I think he weighed this very heavily until the bitter end,” remembers longtime staffer Brian Robinson, who says the governor wrote his own remarks to announce the veto – by hand.

“That just goes to show you how personal it was,” Robinson says.

“I believe it is about the character of our state and the character of our people. Georgia is a welcoming state,” Deal told reporters. “I do not think we have to discriminate against anyone to protect the faith-based community in Georgia, of which I and my family have been a part of all of our lives.”

“If you look back at it, it is a defense of religious freedom and that religious freedom can coexist with tolerance,” Robinson says. “It really was a beautiful speech, but I think it was one that he agonized over.”

Deal declined comment for this story through a spokesperson. Continue reading…