* “(Donald Trump) would be the most reckless president in American history… and would put at risk our country’s national security and well-being.”–Excerpt from an open letter from a group of 50 former national security officials, all of whom served Republican presidents.
* “The central issue in this election isn’t Trump’s ideas, such as they are. It’s his character, such as it is.”–Bret Stephens, Wall Street Journal.
* “From Team Bush, it’s a bitter pill to swallow. But you know what? You get back up and you help the man that won, and you make sure that we stop Hillary Clinton.”–Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush, son of Jeb Bush.
* “Whatever one thinks of Clinton, her nomination is a milestone, and a lesson of history is that when women advance, humanity advances.”–Nicholas Kristof, New York Times.
* “I’m not new to this area or its concerns.”–Hillary Clinton, at a campaign appearance at the Coliseum in downtown St. Petersburg.
* “Independence Day is coming early this year.”–Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, in predicting a Trump victory in November.
* “Trump has gone amazingly far without having done an ounce of homework in preparation for the presidency, relying instead on feeding tweets to an anxious Republican base. His candidacy should be over by now. But it isn’t.–Thomas Friedman, New York Times.
* “You will see them by early to mid September now.”–Scott Reed, senior political strategist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, in predicting when voters will see GOP ads that will distance congressional candidates from the top of the ticket.
* “Putinism is bitter nostalgia on the march, and Putin is as interested in the U.S. presidential election as Trump and some of his aides are in Russian wealth. … Speculation about the nature and scale of Trump’s financial entanglements with Putin and his associates is justified by Trump’s refusal to release his personal and business tax information.”–George Will, Washington Post.
* “In the United States, most top economists agree that ‘past major trade deals have benefited most Americans’ and that ‘trade with China makes most Americans better off.’ But those aren’t sentiments we will be hearing anytime soon from Mr. Trump or Mrs. Clinton.”–N. Gregory Mankiw, Harvard University professor of economics.
* “If you’re pregnant and you want to get a free (Zika) test, you can do that.”–Gov. Rick Scott.
* “We brought the Baptists and the bootleggers together.”–State Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, on the eclectic group of conservative business groups and liberal environmental interests that support the solar power-promoting Amendment 4.
* “I’m voting for the Republican nominee, and (Trump) is the nominee.”–For Tampa Mayor and Florida Gov. Bob Martinez.
* “This is a time when country has to take priority over political parties. Donald Trump cannot be elected president.”–Sally Bradshaw, top adviser to Jeb Bush, in announcing that she was leaving the Republican Party and would vote for Hillary Clinton if the Florida race is close.
* “It’s a no-brainer for me. I think (Clinton’s) a crook. … It takes a lot of moxie to be able to build a company like Trump built.”–Tampa businessman and GOP fundraiser Dick Beard.
* “The container business is an area of growth for Tampa. Tampa serves a huge consumer market with its connection to Orlando. Container business will contribute to the warehouse and distribution centers there.”–Marianela Dengo De De Obaldia, manager of strategic relations for the Panama Canal.
* “To say that I’m not engaged isn’t an accurate statement. I’m not for it, and I’m not against it.”–Mayor Bob Buckhorn, on the possibility of a Cuban consulate for Tampa.
* “The airport runs as efficiently as ever even with this project going on, and that’s a tribute to his leadership and the culture he’s built behind this team.”–Brig. Gen. Chip Diehl, Hillsborough County Aviation Authority treasurer, on the decision to draft a new contract for TIA CEO Joe Lopano.
* “This is so significant–connecting two cities and really stop talking about the word ‘regional’ and actually becoming regional.”–Hillsborough County Commissioner Sandy Murman, after the county commission backed the proposed cross-bay ferry that would link St. Petersburg and Tampa.
* “Our vision is to create a fellowship between the Tampa Bay area, Cuba and the entire yachting world.”–Richard Winning, commodore of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, on the announcement that it will relaunch its once-annual regatta to Havana in February.
* “A lot of people say you need an African-American officer to work in an African-American community. Bull. You need to teach officers mutual respect.”–St. Petersburg Police Chief Tony Holloway.