U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal’s "real world experience" in local, state and national issues has led him to pursue votes as governor.

Seeking to shape the future of Georgia into a more conservative place, he told community mem-bers that his "real world experience" as an attorney, prosecutor, judge and lawmaker gives him credibility in making a difference.

The native Georgian, a Republican from Sandersville, is a GOP hopeful in the 2010 gubernatorial race. He walked around the room at the Calhoun Depot, and shook hands with community member’s Monday afternoon.

Among the crowd were business owners, doctors, lawyers and former Calhoun mayor and State Rep. John Meadows at the Nathan Deal for Governor meet-and-greet barbeque lunch.

Meadows introduced Deal to the crowd of 45 people.

"What you see is what you get," said Meadows. "He’s a friend of Gordon County, and he’s worked with us on other projects in the past."

U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal told community members that he was raised in a community much like Calhoun, and he wants to serve the people of Georgia by running as governor.

"If someone hasn’t been through a controversial rezoning area, they don’t need to run for gover-nor," he joked.

The crowd laughed. But, during the question and answer session he answered questions thought-fully.

"I want to make it a job friendly state," said Deal of what he wants to accomplish as governor.

"The worst thing is to have kids leave the state because they can’t find a job after they finish col-lege," he added.

As far as health care, he said improvements would begin with Medicaid.

"I would take a close look at how we’re spending Medicaid money to provide benefits," he said in an interview on how he would improve health care.

"I think it’s the most important position in our state, and it’s critical to what we are going to see come out of this downturn with the economy," he said in an interview.

"We’ve got to be prepared and we need somebody who has the background and experience to be able to lead this state forward and I think I have those qualifications," he added of why he is running for governor.

He explained that his "understanding by way of experience" and experience on the local, state and national level make him the best-qualified candidate for governor.

After finishing his speech, he said he was pleased with the turnout and said the residents of Cal-houn are vital in his campaign.

"These are the folks that are going to vote, and they have influence in the community and having them on my side is very critical," he said. "They are respected by the people of this area and their counties."