* “The vast difference between the liberty-limiting, radical left-wing, anti-business, reckless-spending, tax-hiking party of Barack Obama, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi versus an energized America that knows we can do better.”–Fox News Channel talk-show host and former Republican governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee.
* “It was once said that parties of the left and right in France didn’t just dream of defeating each other. They dreamed of annihilating each other. That kind of extreme partisanship has been alien to the United States. Until now.”–Bill Schneider, professor of public and international affairs at George Mason University.
* “A masquerade party to cover up the final takeover of the Republican Party by the right. It was like Barry Goldwater in ’64.”–Obama strategist David Alexrod’s characterization of last week’s GOP Convention.
* “The stage show looked like America, but the convention hall did not.”–Maureen Dowd, New York Times.
*”There is no organic connection between Romney and the GOP base. You could feel it in the hall. He is renting the party to fulfill his dream of becoming president, and they’re renting him to get rid of President Obama.”–Thomas J. Friedman, New York Times.
* “We’re not going to let our campaign be dictated by fact-checkers.”–Romney pollster Neil Newhouse.
* “Ryan is the most conservative running mate in 100 years. The Democratic equivalent would be Dennis Kucinich.”–Comedian Bill Maher.
* “I’ve resigned myself to the fact that my future will always be speculated about. Even if Mitt Romney wins on Nov. 6, as I expect him to, people will start speculating about 2020 then, OK?”–New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, the GOP Convention’s keynote speaker.
* “We did it. I think we have set the standard for how these events should run.”–Mayor Bob Buckhorn.
* “I applaud the people of this region for their incredible hospitality.”–Michael Steele, former RNC chairman.
* “I truly believe Chief Castor has done a tremendous job in preparation and a wonderful job with protesters.”–Tampa City Councilman Frank Reddick.
* “We can go out to the world and say we just hosted one of the biggest gatherings in the world–peacefully.”–Kelly Miller, president and CEO of Tampa Bay and Co.
* “All that planning paid off. I have really been amazed. You’d think there would be more mess.”–Tonia Brickhouse, Tampa’s Solid Waste Department supervisor.