* “The threat of force is real, and the Assad regime and all those taking part need to understand that President Obama and the United States are committed to achieve this goal.”–Secretary of State John Kerry, briefing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the chemical-weapons deal with Syria.
* “Our geopolitical priorities are evolving. We understand that the 21st century will not be the American century. It will be the Asian century, and we feel we’ve been hung up too long on the Western vector in our foreign policy.”–Alexi Pushkov, chairman of the foreign-relations committee in Russia’s parliament, the State Duma.
* “I have reluctantly concluded that any possible confirmation process for me would be acrimonious and would not serve the interests of the Federal Reserve, the administration or ultimately, the interests of the nation’s ongoing economic recovery.”–Lawrence Summers, in withdrawing his name as a leading candidate to replace Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke.
* “Hillary and I come from different political parties, and we disagree about lots of things, but we agree on the wisdom of the American people–especially those in Iowa and New Hampshire and South Carolina.”–Jeb Bush in presenting the National Constitution Center’s Liberty Medal to (fellow 2016 presidential prospect) Hillary Clinton.
* “More than 12 million students are projected to drop out of high school over the next decade; the millions more with diplomas face bleak job prospects. … But we can learn from Germany, a world leader in technical training, and offer two-year degrees in manufacturing technology, starting the last year of high school and extending a year beyond.”–Robert B. Reich, former secretary of labor during the Clinton Administration.
* “The NAACP has always been the largest civil rights organization in the streets, and today it is also the largest civil rights organization online, on mobile and at the ballot box too.”–NAACP president Benjamin Jealous, who is stepping down at the end of the year.
* “The United States must be better prepared to take advantage of the explosive growth in travel demand that is building among middle-class consumers in emerging economies. Although the Obama Administration has made remarkable improvements to the visa application process in several critical markets, legislation is needed to build on these gains.”–Arne Sorenson, CEO of Marriott International.
* “Florida’s difficulty in the last few years doesn’t stem from its tax code. It stems from having a real estate and construction-driven economy in a real estate- and construction-driven recession.”–Lyman Stone, Tax Foundation state economist.
* “You’re looking at a boulder to push up a mountain on this one.”–Frank Brogan, outgoing chancellor of the state university system, on Florida Polytechnic, which is slated to open in less than a year.
* “All of a sudden, the state GOP wants to be my best friend. The same GOP that stood by while the local few in the GOP voted me off the Pasco GOP Executive Committee last year. The same GOP that funded my primary opponent.”–Maverick Republican Mike Fasano, who gave up his west Pasco state House seat to become Pasco County tax collector.
* “I’m frustrated that our (Democratic gubernatorial) bench is not deeper than it is, the fact that we could conceivably wind up with a candidate who one or two years ago was saying something entirely different than where he is today.”–Mayor Bob Buckhorn.
* “Tampa International Airport, along with airport and tourism officials throughout the country, are looking to federal lawmakers to support legislation that would boost international tourism to the United States by making it easier for low-risk travelers to visit the country and continue the Brand USA program, which markets the United States globally… .”–Joe Lopano, TIA CEO.
* “We’ve never received such a welcome. … From the venues to the production guys to the Indian community at large, they’re all excited, and I think back home our film industry is extremely excited to come to Tampa.”–Andre Timmons, director of Wizcraft International Entertainment, the Mumbai-based company that puts on the “Bollywood Oscars” extravaganza coming to Tampa next year.
* “Once discovered, this area has incredible potential.”–Pedro Heilbron, CEO of Copa Airlines, on why Latin American travelers will enjoy visiting the Tampa Bay region.
* “I think it will invigorate and transform downtown in a way no single project in recent memory has. The lack of continuity has always been the biggest impediment to enjoying it.”–Tampa City Council member Harry Cohen on the significance of the beginning of the final leg of the 2.4-mile Tampa Riverwalk.
* “We have to provide the proper support services for the people who take these online classes, and we want to make sure people have the full USF experience, even if they live in Suriname or New York.”–Beth Garland, chief business officer for USF’s University College.
* “Other cities would kill for this. We just need to tie it together.”–Former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker on the effort to brand and market the area just south of downtown St. Petersburg that is dominated by research and educational institutions.