What a Coincidence!

Philip F. Lee, 9/8/06

Both the NRA and MPFO/Purtilo pick NRA state representative Jennifer Palmer’s dad to endorse from among five Republicans, with three of them (Gardner, Jacobs & Simonaire) pro-RKBA. On the same day the two cards below are delivered to the voters. That timing and selection can’t be a coincidence.

The NRA and MPFO/Purtilo didn’t select Dutch Holland because he is a proven vote getter – he has failed in two previous races for the legislature (in the last race in 2002 he received the smallest vote of all candidates in the Republican primary and about half the vote count of the lowest Democrat).

The NRA and MPFO/Purtilo didn’t select him because he has raised lots of money – Thomas Gardner has raised $45,883.35 from 255 contributors; Mike Jacobs raised $51,567.75 from 245 contributors; Bryan Simonaire has raised $30,015.05 from 309 contributors; but Carl (Dutch) Holland only has raised $6,980.00 from 22 contributors (and $1250 of that from NRA ILA State and Local Director Randy Kozuch).

Nor is the NRA is noted for endorsing risky primary candidates. Currently the NRA has endorsed less than two handfuls of Maryland primary candidates and all of them are veteran legislators with a track record – all but Holland, that is. So, what sterling qualities does Holland have to warrant this crowning?

There seems to be a convergence between the joint backing from NRA and MPFO/Purtilo of Holland and the attack by MPFO/Purtilo on Dwyer. In 2002, Holland was fourth and out in the Republican primary behind Del. Dwyer – could MPFO/Purtilo be carrying on this vendetta against Del. Dwyer at the behest of NRA’s Palmer as revenge? Or is Dwyer beating Palmer’s dad in the 2002 primary just a coincidence.

Well, it will be interesting to see how this race and Dwyer's turn out.