Rhetoric rises in Ga. governor race

ATLANTA - The campaign for governor steamed into the homestretch with the lone woman in the contest accusing a leading opponent of sexism.

Republican Karen Handel said Saturday that a press release from Nathan Deal saying that "real women" support his campaign attacks her own female supporters, including former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

Deal called Handel's accusation "absurd" and said the word "real" has been part or his campaign rhetoric from its first days. Deal said the word was not meant to "impugn anybody."

Another Republican in the race - Eric Johnson - said Handel has been playing the gender card and has been the one hurling the most mud in the race.

The heated rhetoric came with just days remaining until Georgia's primary Tuesday.