Gov. Nathan Deal got to spend a bit of time with President Donald Trump while he was in town Monday evening for the College Football National Championship.
"He was very pleasant," Deal said. "I welcomed him to the state of Georgia."
The president was on the field for the National Anthem prior to the start of the game, before retiring to a skybox to watch the action.
"In the beginning of the second quarter, is when I went to the suite where he was and had a few minutes to be able to talk with him," Deal said.
11Alive's Doug Richards asked Deal, "Did you lobby him?"
"Well, not really. I just said we're glad to have you here in Georgia. I appreciate some of the things that you have done that have made our state better and will make us even more better in the future," Deal said.
Deal says some of Trump's policies will make Georgia stronger.
"And I truly believe some of his policies will do that. For a state that's growing like ours, that has all of the opportunities that we have, we're going to benefit from reform, and meaningful reform in the tax laws. It will take the tax burden off of our citizens, and allow those corporations to hopefully have the opportunity to reinvest hopefully in better jobs and higher paying jobs in our state. That's what we're all looking forward to."
Deal had some words of consolation for Georgia football fans. "Our coach, Kirby Smart has proven himself to be truly one of those outstanding coaches. I have been around him in situations in the locker room. And he demands (players') respect. They give it to him. And he runs a very tight ship. But he also cares for his players," Deal said. "So I think we should all have the same attitude. We should care for these players. We should encourage them. And they played their hearts out. Sometimes you just can't win. But you win in the hearts of most Georgians, no matter what the score."
