* “My presidency is entering the fourth quarter. Interesting stuff happens in the fourth quarter.”–President Barack Obama.
* “Isolation has not worked. It’s time for a new approach.”–President Barack Obama, in announcing that the U.S. and Cuba would re-establish diplomatic relations.
* “In the end, I think opening up Cuba is probably a good idea.”–Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.
* “This should have been done years ago.”–Former Mayor Dick Greco.
* “It’s a recognition after 50 years that the policy wasn’t working. We all have our feelings about Castro. We all have our feelings about what a corrupt government he runs. But the reality is it just hasn’t worked.”–Mayor Bob Buckhorn.
* “Disgraceful and outrageous.”–Sen. Marco Rubio’s reaction to the president’s announcement of the change in Cuban-American relations.
* “The Obama Administration’s actions of appeasement to dictators diminish the United States’ role of being a beacon for democracy.”–Gov. Rick Scott’s reaction to the Cuba announcement.
* “President Obama announced that he’s going to reopen diplomatic relations with Cuba. He wants to act before Seth Rogen makes a movie about Castro.”–Conan O’Brien.
* “We are seeing an economic crisis. We are seeing a sharp devaluation of the ruble at a time when the central bank doesn’t have the reserves to influence the market, as it did in the past crises.”–Natalia Akindinova, professor at Moscow’s Higher School of Economics.
* “Even for those of us who disagree with (Democratic Sen. Elizabeth) Warren fundamentally, it seems clear that she does have a significant and growing chance of being nominated (for president).”–David Brooks, New York Times.
* “I have decided to actively explore the possibility of running for president of the United States.”–Jeb Bush.
* “Early on, does Rubio kick the tires and see if Jeb hangs around? I think that’s possible. But if Jeb runs, there’s no place for two of them. It’s awkward.”–Florida Republican lobbyist and fundraiser Brian Ballard.
* “We have a blank canvas to develop an entire district to help revitalize downtown and change this area for generations to come.”–Jeff Vinik.
* “Our number one goal–our full-court press–is to get a corporate headquarters.”–Jeff Vinik.
* “It has created a buzz and unparalleled level of excitement in downtown …”–Christine Burdick, president of the Downtown Tampa Partnership,
* “HART is excited to be an active partner in the revitalization in the Channelside district, and it gives me great pride that the TECO (Line) Streetcar System is part of Mr. Vinik’s vision plan for bringing improved transportation services to the community, along with improved access to jobs and economic investment in this corridor.”–Mike Suarez, Tampa City Council member and HART board chairman.
* “I think back to when I first came here. We (Toronto Maple Leafs) played at the Fairgrounds. We stayed downtown and there wasn’t much there. Now look at what we have and where this franchise and this city are going.”–Dave Andreychuk, former Tampa Bay Lightning captain and current vice president of corporate and community affairs.
* “You’ve got eight council members who have to make a decision as to whether they want to lead or lead by workshop. And unfortunately, the majority chose to lead by workshop.”–St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman, after St. Pete City Council rejected an agreement negotiated by Kriseman and the Tampa Bay Rays.
* “We need to cool off but maybe take another run at it. It’s not in the city’s interest to stay in neutral.”–St. Petersburg City Councilman Karl Nurse.
* “I am humbled and really appreciative. I wasn’t expecting this, so thank you very much.”–Hillsborough County Administrator Mike Merrill, on learning that commissioners had approved a nearly 20 percent pay raise for him.
* “If you lived in Green Bay this time of year, you would love coming down to Tampa. We realize that.”–Tampa Bay Bucs coach Lovie Smith, on the large, loud contingent of Packer fans that were part of Sunday’s sold-out crowd at Raymond James Stadium.