Handel with Care: Karen Handel Tests Waters for Senate Bid in Gilmer County.

Karen Handel made an on-off-the-cuff visit to Poole’s BBQ in East Ellijay last week. But, was the visit that off the cuff? When Senator Saxby Chambliss announced his retirement in January, Handel’s name was one circulated in the maelstrom of speculation that followed. She was accompanied in the storm by Phil Gingrey and Tom Price, among copious others.

During last Thursday’s luncheon, FYN asked if she has decided to run for Senate yet. Sidestepping the issue, she said she has not made a decision yet and that she is discussing the prospect with her family. Earlier, Gilmer County Tea Party Communications Director Jack Smith asked Handel two pointed questions about the Constitution: The first question dealt with the state nullification under the Tenth Amendment, allowing states to deal with laws not relevant to the seventeen enumerated powers outlined in the Constitution. The second question asked if Handel supports the repeal the Seventeenth Amendment. Handel, though, was evasive, avoiding the question.

“There will be plenty of time for me to get into all the nuts and bolts of things IF I turn out to be a candidate,”

she said. Handel spent the morning otherwise sidestepping the senate bid question. Will she run? Will she not run?

Although the former secretary of state and one-time gubernatorial candidate, says she’s still undecided, people are wondering why she came to Poole’s BBQ in East Ellijay last week. Did she come to warm up the crowd for Dalton Mayor David Pennington’s talk the same day? Or was she testing the waters for a serious Senate bid?

Admittedly, some of the frenzy has died since Chambliss announced his retirement two months ago. But, a few prominent names still linger, prompting fringe candidates, like Handel, to tread lightly. Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA) is the only candidate who has made an official announcement. As such, Broun is already staking out his territory on Conservative ground. He made waves recently by criticizing Rep Paul Ryan’s budget, saying it’s too timid and does not cut enough spending. Aside from Broun, all other potential candidates are waiting in the wings, waiting for the next candidate to announce. The linchpin in this strategy seems to be Rep Tom Price (R-GA). Price seems to be the key to everyone else’s strategy. He has national name recognition from his constant criticism of Obamacare and his role as Vice Chair of the House Budget Committee. He’s also a Tea Party favorite, of the ilk of Broun, but with higher visibility and more notoriety.

An unnamed source has informed FYN that Handel’s strategy is contingent on Price’s decision. If Price runs for Senate, Handel will not run; if Price does not run, Handel will likely run, according to the source. So, what are the chances of Price running for Senate? The best guess is fifty-fifty. Price will have the funding and name recognition to be a front runner and possibly win the seat. But, if he runs, he risks losing the vice chair spot on the House Budget Committee, leaving the way for a fiscally less conservative replacement.

In a recent interview, Price said he will make his decision later in the spring. When asked last week about her decision, Handel also said she will wait to make her decision.