* “We know the United States’ position on the former NSA agent (Edward) Snowden, who uncovered illegal acts by the United States around the globe. Everyone, including Europe, is talking about this but nobody wants to give him asylum, guarantee his safety, nobody wants to quarrel with their partners, their old partners.”–Russian President Vladimir Putin.
* “In falling out of line with the Vatican, Irish people are actually falling in line with their Catholic counterparts in other Western countries, including the United States.”–Frank Bruni, New York Times.
* “The evolution of nature does not contrast with the notion of creation, as evolution presupposes the creation of beings that evolve.”–Pope Francis.
* “The Obama Administration recognized that the United States was paying a high price for obstinately clinging to an outdated Cold War policy that the rest of the world rejected.”–Wayne S. Smith, former chief of the U.S. Interests Section in Havana, on plans to restore full diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba.
* “I will not let the Patriot Act, the most unpatriotic of acts, go unchallenged.”–Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.
* “I’m the only person in this national conversation who has used the Patriot Act, signed off on it, and convicted terrorists with it.”–New Jersey Republican Gov. Chris Christi.
* “A Dan Quayle without the experience.”–Assessment of Marco Rubio by Democratic strategist Christopher Lehane.
* “The presidency is not a crown to be passed back and forth…between two royal families.”–Recently announced Democratic presidential candidate Martin O’Malley, former Maryland governor.
* “The idea that a national poll has any relationship to the viability of a candidate–ask Rudy Giuliani that, ask Phil Gramm that.”–Former Pennsylvania Republican Sen. Rick Santorum.
* “I don’t think there’s a state out there we wouldn’t play in–other than maybe Florida.”–Wisconsin Republican Gov. Scott Walker.
* “Both Mrs. Clinton and the news media have changed. She seems less a presidential candidate than a historical figure, returning to claim what is rightfully hers. And the press corps, both blessed and cursed with live streaming, tweeting and Snapchatting technologies, is armed with questions devised to win the moment. The result is a carnival atmosphere.”–Jason Horowitz, New York Times.
* “Nevada–especially Las Vegas–is much more representative of the rest of the country than Iowa and New Hampshire. … Las Vegas is a melting pot, a strong union town in a right-to-work state. It has a burgeoning Asian and Hispanic population.”–Nevada political analyst Jon Ralston.
* “We’re not going to wait for Washington to lift Americans out of poverty.”–Eric Garcetti, mayor of Los Angeles, on the city’s decision to increase its minimum wage to $15 from $9 an hour by 2020.
* “F—face von Clownstick.”–Jon Stewart’s name for Donald Trump.
* “Broadband is every bit as important today as plain old telephone service was 30 years ago.”–Gene Kimmelman, chief executive of the consumer advocacy group Public Knowledge, on a proposal to subsidize internet service for the poor.
* “Florida is at a crossroads. Will we continue to be a competitive player in the business of economic development? I encourage community leaders to reach out to elected officials to stress just how important financial incentives are for the economic future of our state.”–Bill Johnson, CEO of Enterprise Florida.
* “We’re all in agreement we’ll get a budget. What we don’t agree on is how much flexibility to give each side to get there.”–Rep. Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’Lakes, House Appropriations Committee chairman.
* “When I walk away from Tallahassee, I don’t want to be known and I don’t want to be remembered for funding stadiums; I don’t want to be remembered for funding transportation. I want to be remembered for saving lives.”–Rep. Janet Cruz, D-Tampa, among those calling for Florida to expand Medicaid coverage.
* “Today, Hillsborough County is focused on the high-value market of the film and digital media industry, but we need the state Legislature to re-fund the Film and Digital Media Tax Credit Program to help us continue to grow our market share.”–Ken Hagan, Hillsborough County commissioner.
* “For years, we limited our horizons to Alabama. It’s time we started looking at a global economy.”–Mayor Bob Buckhorn.
* “It makes our brand stronger for future years.”–Tampa Bay Lightning president Steve Griggs, on the team’s post-season success.
* “It’ll be a great way to connect the two neighborhoods together.”–Tony LaColla, president of the Historic Ybor Neighborhood Civic Association, on the potential for The Gas Worx project that would bring residential towers and a grocery to 7.6 acres between Ybor City and the Channel District.
* “We’re in a hot market right now in the sense that there seems to be more buyers than sellers. What I’ve heard from everyone is that there’s not enough inventory right now, which will drive prices upward.”–Charles Richardson, regional senior vice president for Coldwell Banker, on the Tampa Bay housing market.
* “We’re committed to Bay News 9.”–Charter Communications spokesman Justin Venech, after Charter’s announcement of its merger with Bright House Networks.