AutoCAD .NET :: SendCommand From Palette Button Retaining Preselected Object(s)

I have a palette with a button. I'd like to be able to repeat the button command if space or enter is pressed.

But I also may have preselected objects to base the command on (otherwise it needs a pickfirst selection).

For some reason SendStringToExecute clears the current selectionset and I need to reselect an entity.

While calling the Sub directly doesn't allow the command to be repeated and ignores the DR CommandMethod call. 
 
Private Sub btnDraw_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles btnDraw.Click Dim doc As Document = Application.DocumentManager.MdiActiveDocument Dim mycommands As New Commands mycommands.Draw() 'doc.SendStringToExecute("DR ", True, False, True) End Sub
<CommandMethod("DR")> _ Sub Draw()'If selectedobjects.count>0 then ... End Sub