ATLANTA (AP) -- Gov. Nathan Deal says he's sticking by his endorsement of Newt Gingrich for the Republican nominee for president, despite the former U.S. House Speaker's waning support during the primaries.

Deal addressed a crowd of journalists, lobbyists and lawmakers at the Atlanta Press Club on Tuesday. When asked if he would consider switching his support to former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Deal said: "I stick with my friends until they decide to get out of the race."

Deal, a former Democrat who has been a Republican since 1995, was also asked for his advice to Romney on how to run one phase of a political process as an ardent conservative and then another as a moderate. He responded: "I would have absolutely no idea how to do that."

AP-WF-04-17-12 1952GMT