The competition for Georgia endorsements is revving up

Four presidential candidates

Gov. Nathan Deal’s less-than-enthusiastic endorsement

of Jeb Bush underscored the

raging to lock up the support of leading Georgia officials and operatives in the run-up to the state’s March 1 primaries.

Scholars have long warred over whether endorsements matter, and the anti-establishment undercurrents in this year's race seem to make their effect as muted as ever. Still, candidates are pouring time and treasure toward winning over state leaders — and there's no shortage of drama in the final days before the vote.

There have been last-minute flips, strategic gamesmanship and strange partnerships forged within the past week. And the pressure to win over the few neutral politicians, or lure those betrothed to candidates that could drop out, will only intensify.