Robert B. Sklaroff, M.D., F.A.C.P.

Medical Oncology/Hematology  Telephone: (215) 333-4900

 Facsimile: (215) 333-2023
Smylie Times Building - Suite #500-C
8001 Roosevelt Boulevard  rsklaroff@gmail.com
Philadelphia, PA 19152
April 12, 2018

To: Bucks County Courier Times

Re: Guest Commentary Submission

The “Bristol Brawl” – Handicapping the Republican Congressional Debate

By Robert B. Sklaroff, M.D.

This hour-long Main Event on May 1st will be the only public rumble between the two candidates, and the
choice facing voters will be between the incumbent, Congressman Brian “Counter-Punch” Fitzpatrick vs.
the challenger, Lawyer Dean “Mean-Right-Hook” Malik.

This Card has a “Mutt and Jeff” character, with Brother-Brian having inherited Mutt’s height-advantage
and Lean-Dean having developed Jeff’s reach-edge … while both harbor conflicting grasps of the issues.

“Gun control” would be defined by Marine-Dean as “good aim,” whereas FBI-Brian would prefer to aim
society from “reciprocity” conceal-and-carry licensure whenever a citizen crosses the Delaware.

Both videoed their attendance at the Annual “March for Life” in Washington, although green-Dean
publicly and privately touted this political commitment aggressively while sighin’-Brian distributed his
tape to pro-life groups unobtrusively.

And both have demonstrated shifting loyalty toward Referee Don “John” Trumpy, for both have deviated
from his Agenda; whereas serene-Dean claims to harbor undying fealty to all-things-Donald, he reflexly
swung wildly at Brian for buyin’ the Omnibus Bill.

Dean didn’t connect logically, but Brian didn’t connect emotionally.

Both know that the President is fighting the Culture War while playing simultaneous chess against
academe, the drive-by-media, the Democrats, the Deep State, and the RINOs.

Yet, arguably, when this major GOP legislation of calendar-year 2018 was supported by Fitzpatrick and
opposed by Malik, the challenger delivered a body-blow to his own campaign when he undermined its
raison d'être, namely, to resolutely support The Donald.

Or is it anathema to Tea Party Principles to rehab the military by exploding the deficit, even if some
spending can be rescinded?

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Both upheld their reputations during this preliminary sparring round, with Malik aggressively jabbing and
Fitzpatrick subtly shuffling.

They may dance around philosophical labels while in the ring but, ultimately, Malik will come out swinging
against no-label positions while Fitzpatrick will bob-and-weave in support of an independent posture.

Which is the Swamp Fox? Is it Brian, who defends his FBI-colleagues despite rampant pro-Democrat
favoritism within the Justice Department? Is it Dean, who would “damn the torpedoes” by firing Special
Counsel Mueller, even if the President would mimic Nixon’s Saturday Night Massacre?

Which would be the preferable D.C.-voter, recalling the counsel of Edmund Burke? Is it Brian, who would
function as a “delegate” while flexibly hewing closely to what the voters claim to desire, regardless of his
considered-opinion? Is it Dean, who would resolutely vote as a “representative,” while channeling his
conscience, regardless of constituent-input?

Which adheres to Constitutional rule-of-law?

Is it Brian, who has been reticent—as was his brother/predecessor—to repeal/replace ObamaDon’tCare,
despite this task having been the centerpiece of the Republican agenda for the past decade?

Is it Dean, who ordered his then-Treasurer—who honored the Orson Wells admonition in his ad for Paul
Masson California wine, "We will sell no wine before its time"—not to ensure underage Joe Gale was
struck from the Lieutenant Governor ballot?

Which would reliably fight the Opioid Crisis? Is it Brian, who wouldn’t vote for legislation unless this
initiative received bonus-funding? Is it Dean, whose commitment to constructing a southern-border
security barrier isn’t squishy?

Throughout the bout, in opposite corners will be Malik’s brawn of a committed-cadre of activists and
Fitzpatrick’s brain of a seasoned-squad of supporters.

Fitzpatrick will tout his ability to stretch across the aisle to Democrats and Independents, whereas Malik
will peddle his talent for articulating Conservative Principles to the rafters hoping they will resonate
among non-Republicans.

At this scrimmage-at-the-college, will Malik ravage and win a quick K.O. or will Fitzpatrick salvage a T.K.O.?

The Primary-Voter must decide which will be more “electable” in November.

Dr. Sklaroff is a former GOP Committee-Person, who just joined the N.R.A. despite not owning a firearm,
who lives in Montgomery County, has his professional office in Philadelphia, and has been immersed in
Bucks County politics during the past decade. In the process, he has interacted intensely with both
candidates and their enthusiasts, and he served briefly as the Treasurer for Dean H. Malik, Esquire.
Documentation of the observations in this essay can be gleaned from https://tinyurl.com/yadylqee, from
which additional/extensive hyperlinks can be probed.