GOP phenomenons could dominate the 3rd District primary

In Maryland's 3rd District, the two Republicans who have filed to challenge one-term Congressman John Sarbanes are both adherents to mini-movements within their party.

Chris Panasuk to a presidential candidate: Rep. Ron Paul.

Paul Spause to a proposal: the Fair Tax.

The Ron Paul phenomenon has received substantial and well deserved media coverage. His independently organized supporters raised $4.2 million in a single day, setting a record for online fundraising, and have been materializing hundreds, sometimes thousands of people at rallies. What's even more astounding to the news media is that Ron Paul voted against authorization to invade Iraq and supports eradicating the social programs even conservative Republicans have grown comfortable with.

Lacking these eyebrow-raising moments, the Fair Tax movement is naturally less well known. But it, too, has played a credible, though largely unsung role in this year's Republican race for president.

Mike Huckabee's second place in the Republican Straw Poll in Ames, Iowa made big waves last August. Huckabee had purchased fewer tickets than votes he received - an unusual occurence - and most journalists chalked it up to him being a likeable, reliable rural conservative.

What the savvy observers picked up on was a subtle advantage Huckabee enjoyed: backing from those in support of the Fair Tax.

As Marc Ambinder reported it at the time,

Fairtax.org, a 504 (c) 4, filled at least 20 buses worth of economically conservative Iowans and drove them to the straw poll. Of the mainstream Republican candidates, only Huckabee has made the Fair Tax a staple of his domestic policy program.

Nowhere does FairTax.org claim that it specifically aided the Huckabee effort and 20 to 30 buses worth of supporters would be responsible for at most half of Huckabee's margin. Not incidentally, any collusion between the Huckabee campaign and Fair Tax.org would be legally questionable.

Yet Fair Tax supporters certainly took credit for Huckabee's surprising finish.

All in all, if Paulites and Fair Taxers wanted to take each other on in the 3rd District primary, it would be largely symbolic for the victor - Sarbanes will mop the floor with either of these guys in November.

But knowing these two groups, it sure could be fun to watch.