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Faber Doesn’t Want To Talk Politics
posted (March 18, 2020)

And, turning now from COVID-19 to politics, the conversation still turned back to COVID. We asked Patrick Faber about submitting his name to run as UDP. Leader for the second time in two months:

Hon. Patrick Faber- Candidate for UDP Leadership
"It is for me not important at this time. I made the submission, you noticed that I had promised all of you in the media that when I made up my mind that I would come back to you and tell you. I did no such thing merely because it's not the kind of time for that. We are in a fight to try to ensure that this country remains COVID19 free and that's the bigger fish that we have to fry at this time. Of course, we can walk and chew gum at the same time but you don't want all of the issues that we are trying so desperately to attain in terms of this fight to be drowned out by all of this drama that we know can come with the convention. That is why the submission of my name for the leadership was very quiet. But, again, even, trying to stay on the quiet front, it is neither here nor there because we've agreed, at least I participated in that decision yesterday. I don't think honourable Saldivar was there but I certainly agreed that in fact at this time all our energies need to be focused on the fight against COVID19 and so, in a cabinet decision yesterday, well, while we were there in Cabinet, I should say, we agreed that the convention should be put off until we are able to deal with this matter effectively. That matter being COVID19."

Reporter
"What do you make of John Saldivar's Facebook post where he said that he is supporting Omar Figueroa, you should support Figueroa, or if you do submit your name he will submit his name. The tone of that status was very pointed."

Hon. Patrick Faber
"Well, as I said, I will not get into that kind of back and forth. My main focus right now is to lend all of my efforts. Of course, I have to be very concerned of my constituents as well. So, for the next few days I will batten down the hatches in my own constituency to make sure that our people try to remain as safe as possible, both from the issue of gun violence, which now seems to be very real and rearing its head again in our constituency and of course to help in the fight against COVID19. So, in a way it is a relief to me that we've said, that's why I willingly agreed, that that is secondary at this time."

Jules Vasquez
"Would you agree that if we go ahead to a convention with your name and John Saldivar's name in the bag, and only those two, after just having a convention with those same two names in January it looks kind of farcical, kind of ridiculous?"


Hon. Patrick Faber
"I am sure that all are aware. You are a very crafty fellow. I will stay away from that question. Let us focus on what is important right now. COVID19 that is where my fight is right now."

As we told you yesterday, Saldivar also submitted his name to run for leader. Omar Figueroa has not submitted, but he has until the 26th if he is interested in the job.

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