* “I was not looking for this opportunity. But when I received the call, I could not refuse it.”–Jeh Johnson, the Pentagon’s former top lawyer, in accepting President Barack Obama’s nomination as secretary of homeland security.
* “Their (Tea Party) ultimate destination, I believe, is the 1780s and our dysfunctional government under the Articles of Confederation. The states were sovereign in that post-revolutionary arrangement, and the federal government was virtually powerless. … Their core convictions are pre-Great Society, pre-New Deal, pre-Keynes, pre-Freud, pre-Darwin and pre-Constitution.”–Joseph Ellis, author, “Founding Brothers” and “Revolutionary Summer.”
* “Some of the same folks who pushed for the shutdown and threatened default claimed their actions were needed to put America back on track. But probably nothing has done more damage to America’s credibility to the world. … It’s encouraged our enemies. It’s emboldened our competitors. And it’s depressed our friends who look to us for steady leadership.”–President Barack Obama.
* “We fought the good fight. We just didn’t win.”–House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio.
* “To me, it’s a very sad day, because his (President Obama’s) agenda is going to go forward, and he gets an immediate victory lap.”–Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn.
* “I’m tired. Concluding this crisis is historic. But let’s be honest: This was pain inflicted on the nation for no good reason.”–Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.
* “(The deal) postpones any significant action on pro-growth and spending reforms and does nothing to provide working class Americans even one shred of relief from Obamacare’s harmful effects.”–Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., in opposing the deal.
* “With the feeble House Speaker, John Boehner, and majority leader, Eric Cantor, consistently appeasing the Tea Party extremists, it is no wonder the party went over a cliff and almost took the country with it.”–Thomas L. Friedman, New York Times.
* “Will the Tea Party be chastened by recent defeat? Not likely, or for long. Because Tea Party leaders inhabit an alternative political reality–sheltered in safe districts or states, applauded by conservative media, incited (or threatened) by advocacy groups, carried along by a deep current of anger and frustration among activists–they have no incentive to view defeat as defeat.”–Michael Gerson, Washington Post.
* “I’m shocked at how dumbed down the process is. Looney Tunes without the Merrie Melodies.”–Robert Redford on Washington’s dysfunction.
* “It’s a huge honor just to even honor her.”–Elton John on bestowing his foundation’s first Founders Award on Hillary Rodham Clinton for her work combating AIDS.
* “In the past everything you heard from a pope was prepared or formally released. And that was intentional–not to say anything ad hoc. And it’s also intentional that this one does. I think his entire focus is outside the church. That’s huge.”–Phil Lawler, editor of Catholic World News.
* “Anonymity is a last resort.”–Stylebook of the New York Times regarding use of anonymous sources.
* “Our country lost a natural treasure; our state lost its finest representative; our city lost its biggest advocate; and me–my friend and mentor.”–St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster on the passing of U.S. Rep. C. W. “Bill” Young.
* “I can tell you, there will be more arrests.”–Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey in the aftermath of the capture of murderers who had used forged documents to escape their life sentences.
* “Our ability to attract talented workers, create high-wage jobs and improve the quality of life for citizens is directly linked to improved transportation options and regional mobility.”–Hillsborough County Commissioner Mark Sharpe.
* “Tampa is a gateway to Latin America, and increasing trade with Brazil can be an economic game-changer for the region.”–Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, who is leading a trade mission to São Paulo and Porto Alegre, Brazil.
* “The revitalization of Water Works Park is really a linchpin to the rest of the Tampa Heights community.”–Tampa City Councilman Mike Suarez.
* “I think if you ask six economists what’s the size of a ‘small business,’ you’d get six different answers.”–St. Petersburg City Council Chairman Karl Nurse.