* “The free flow of goods and services through the Strait of Hormuz is vital to regional and global prosperity. Any disruption will not be tolerated.”–Lt. Rebecca Rebarich, U.S. Navy spokeswoman in Bahrain, site of the 5th Fleet headquarters.
* “Cracking down on organizations whose sole purpose is to support the democratic process during Egypt’s historic transition sends a disturbing signal.”–Kenneth Wollack, president of the National Democratic Institute, a democracy-promoting group financed by the U.S.
* “In the Dark Ages when it comes to maternity leave.”–Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly’s characterization of the United States.
* “My idea of gun control? Use both hands.”–Texas Gov. Rick Perry.
* “You can’t be against same-sex marriage and for Newt Gingrich. No man has ever loved another man as much as Newt Gingrich loves Newt Gingrich.”–Bill Maher, the host of HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher.”
* “Debates have nearly crippled campaigns, chewing into the precious time each candidate has to organize, raise money, set themes, roll out policy and campaign.”–Republican strategist Karl Rove.
* “What happens in Iowa doesn’t stay in Iowa: it befouls Republicans’ image nationally, becomes a millstone around the eventual nominee’s neck and legitimizes debate about some matters that shouldn’t be debated.”–Frank Bruni, New York Times.
* “Mittens.”–Nickname given to Mitt Romney by media covering his campaign.
* “The Internet is everywhere, but this is (also) a golden age of long-form journalism. …Tweets are fun, but essays you’ll remember.”–David Brooks, New York Times.
* “An energetic stump speaker and prolific writer, (Theodore) Roosevelt is still eminently quotable. Besides ‘malefactors of great wealth,’ he is also responsible for giving the language ‘lunatic fringe,’ ‘muckrakers,’ ‘loose cannon’ and ‘parlor pinks.'”–Rosemarie Ostler, History News Service.
* “This (state) budget, if passed, carries dire consequences that not only hurt our community’s most vulnerable, but puts all of us at risk. When a hospital changes its scope of services, it doesn’t preserve a portion for privately insured and paying patients. The service ceases to exist for everyone who needs it.”–Bayfront Health System CEO Sue. G. Brady on Gov. Rick Scott’s proposed $2 billion Medicaid cut that also eliminates federal and local matching funds.
* “There’s a fairly large bloc of Republicans who would like to see the Senate a little more moderate. In the last session, we spent four days on abortion and one day on jobs.”–State Sen. Dennis Jones, R-Seminole.
* “A Las Vegas Sands destination resort meets Florida’s need for billions of investment capital, attracting hundreds of thousands of new visitors and creating thousands of new, quality jobs.”–Andy Abboud, vice president of government relations and community development at Las Vegas Sands Corp.
*”We should not be seduced into embracing casino gambling with its long-term economic and social consequences based on a five-year out-of-the-norm economic slump.”–Former Florida Gov. Bob Graham.
* “…I’m just clean as a whistle. …I knew I didn’t do anything wrong, and I was validated.”– Sen. Jim Norman, R-Tampa, on federal prosecutors dropping the case involving that $500,000 house loan to his wife from the late Ralph Hughes.
* “It wouldn’t be like NASCAR. It would be done in a tasteful manner…”–Rep. Larry Ahern, R-Seminole, a co-sponsor of a bill that would allow school districts to sell ads on the sides of school buses.
* “When you look at the loss of $500,000, there’s no way to replace it. All you can really do is eat into the plan you already have.”–WUSF General Manager JoAnn Urofsky on the impact of cuts in state funding.
* “A history of conservative financial management contributing to strong reserves and healthy financial flexibility underpin Tampa’s credit profile.”–Fitch Ratings commentary on Tampa’s municipal bonds.
* “It’s one of those things where you prepare for the worst and you hope for the best.”–Tampa Assistant Police Chief Marc Hamlin on preparing for the GOP National Convention in August.
* “There seems to be a lot more talk about police than what their mission should be.”–TPD spokeswoman Andrea Davis on the Occupy Tampa protesters.
* “Since he’s been at Georgia, he has been a wonderful representative of our university and program. He’s very well-spoken and he’s a handsome kid–I know my daughter’s in love with him–and he understands that people are looking to him. He does it all with a dose of humility.”–Georgia head football coach Mark Richt describing quarterback Aaron Murray, a Plant High graduate.
* “If I was in the business of worrying about my future, I wouldn’t be coaching.”–Recently fired Bucs head coach Raheem Morris.