How to you copy the mac address book to the new ipad?

iTunes > Select your iPad in the left panel > Info > Sync Contacts (check mark) > choose your contact group > Sync iPad

This does not seem to work for me. It is exactly backwards. iTunes sync copies the contents of iPad Contacts to Mac Address Book, completely decimating AB.

How do you go the OTHER way?

You may have to do it manually by typing the contact info from Mac into the iPad Address Book. Or, you could try sending the contacts to your iPad via e-mail.