* “The current environment in Egypt is not conducive to genuine democratic elections and civic participation.”–Former President Jimmy Carter.
* “Compounding matters for Democrats, the issue environment during this election season has been toxic: the Obamacare launch, the Veterans Affairs scandal, the rise of the Islamic State and the spread of Ebola fears. Good luck talking about the minimum wage.”–Michael Gerson, Washington Post.
* “The left is still ahead on the ground–they just have more resources.”–Tim Phillips, president of Americans for Prosperity.
* “If he (Barack Obama) gets blamed for some of the losses, I hope he also gets credit for developing some of the get-out-the-vote apparatus that could help save some of these seats.”–David Axelrod, political adviser to President Obama.
* “A diet pill endorsed by Dr. Oz was found to be based on bogus scientific research. Yeah, people are shocked that you can’t trust a TV doctor named after a lying wizard.”–Conan O’Brien.
* “It’s hard to get excited … but we’ll take it. It’s encouraging.”–Scott Brown, chief economist with Raymond James Financial, commenting on Florida’s unemployment rate falling to 6.1 percent. The national rate is 5.9 percent.
* “Under Scott’s watch, the Sunshine State is on the sidelines in developing solar power. Florida ranks third nationally for solar potential but is 18th in solar production. … It is ‘Utilities Gone Wild!’ in Tallahassee under Scott’s watch.”–Mike Fasano, Pasco County tax collector and a former Republican state senator and representative.
* “Scientists study the risks we face–whether it’s from failing to vaccinate our children, prescription drugs, hydraulic fracturing, climate change or exposure to toxic chemicals. Politicians don’t have to respond to every one of these risks, of course. They can and should disagree with each other about if and how to respond. But saying, ‘I’m not a scientist’ in the face of scientific evidence is a cheap cop-out.”–Andrew Rosenberg, director of the Center for Science and Democracy at the Union of Concerned Scientists.
* “Recently Florida has successfully reduced its environmental permitting time down to just two days, and that’s great.”–Gov. Rick Scott.
* “I can’t think of a governor in this country that has done a better job than Gov. Scott.”–Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
* “A vote for Charlie Crist is a vote for Barack Obama.”–Scott campaign spokeswoman Susan Hepworth.
* “I want you to know how strong my family feels about this race. This is Hillary’s birthday, and I had to get an excused absence to come down here.”–Former President Bill Clinton in Tampa campaigning for Charlie Crist on Sunday.
* “Rick Scott has signed more pro-gun bills into law in one term than any other governor in Florida history.”–Chris W. Cox, executive director of the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action.
* “I could definitely see myself running again.”–Term-limited Hillsborough County Commissioner Mark Sharpe, acknowledging the possibility of future political scenarios.
* “I remind people that Election Day is not the first day to vote. It’s the last day to vote.”–Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer.
* “If they move their facility down here, it’s just going to spawn other types of relationships. You attract world-class talent, and you end up becoming a world-class city.”–David Smith, chairman of the Tampa Downtown Partnership, on the potential impact of a USF medical school downtown.
* “I think you could incorporate a very modern library into that (current) site in addition to other components that would maximize the use of the land.”–Mayor Bob Buckhorn on the status of the John F. Germany Library in downtown.
* “We, at this point, are going to continue to go forward.”–City Attorney Julia Mandell, on Tampa’s plans to continue its red-light camera program without changes.
* “I’m in favor of using buses whenever we can. Students are eight times safer on a school bus than riding with their parents and 50 times safer on a school bus than when they are driven by other kids.”–Jim Beekman, newly appointed head of transportation for the Hillsborough County School District.
* “We’re hopeful for a deal by the end of the year.”–Ben Kirby, spokesman for St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman, on stadium-site talks with the Tampa Bay Rays.
* “It’s about exploration. What is out there? I have this unique opportunity, and I think I’d be foolish to not explore it.”–Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon on his decision to exercise an opt-out clause in his contract and leave the Rays.
* “I do not think our financial offer contributed to Joe’s decision.”–Matt Silverman, Rays president of baseball operations, on the departure of manager Joe Maddon.
* “Joe’s involvement with Ava is from now until eternity. … You will see Joe at our (November) opening, I assure you of that.”–Mike Stewart, principal owner of new SoHo restaurant Ava that includes partner Joe Maddon.