* “Let’s not mince words: The choice we face is ultimately between diplomacy and some sort of war–maybe not tomorrow, maybe not three months from now, but soon. How can we in good conscience justify war before we’ve tested a diplomatic agreement that achieves our objectives?”–President Barack Obama, in urging support of the Iran nuclear deal.
* “I don’t oppose this deal because I want war, I oppose this deal because I want to prevent war, and this deal will bring war.”–Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a webcast urging rejection of the Iran nuclear deal.
* “We will have the votes to sustain a veto.”–Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., on the White House’s confidence that it will prevail in the battle over the Iran nuclear deal.
* “If the U.S. walks away from this multi-national agreement, I believe we would find ourselves alone in the world with little credibility.”–Florida Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson.
* “Before the early 1970s, wages and productivity were both rising. Now most gains from productivity go to shareholders, not employees.”–Peter Georgescu, chairman emeritus of the marketing and communications company Young & Rubicam.
* “I went to the (University of Pennsylvania) Wharton School of Finance. I was an excellent student. I’m a smart person. I built a tremendous company. You think I’d make a stupid statement like that?”–Donald Trump’s response to those accusing him of a tasteless, sexist attack on Fox News debate moderator Megyn Kelly.
* “Trump only hurts Republicans among women if he becomes the nominee, which he won’t.”–Republican pollster Whit Ayers.
* “Not sure that they vote in great numbers, but they like blood sport.”–Joseph McQuaid, publisher of New Hampshire’s Union Leader newspaper, on Donald Trump’s base.
* “If this guy ever gets into open water, he’s going to cause Democrats a lot of heartburn.”–Democratic pundit Van Jones, on the debate performance of Sen. Marco Rubio.
* “It’s important to be qualified, but if this election is going to be a resume competition, then Hillary Clinton’s going to be the next president.”–Marco Rubio.
* “Sure, there are center-right (GOP) candidates–like Jeb Bush and John Kasich. But can they run, win and govern from the center-right when the base of their party and so many of its billionaire donors reflect the angry anti-science, anti-tax, anti-government, anti-minorities, anti-gay rights and anti-immigration views of the tea party and its media enforcer, Fox News?”–Thomas Friedman, New York Times.
* “Election polling is in near crisis, and we pollsters know it. Two trends are driving the increasing unreliability of election and other polling in the United States: the growth of cellphones and the decline in people willing to answer surveys.”–Cliff Zukin, professor of public policy and political science at the Eagleton Institute of Politics.
* “The world is demonstrably worse than when I started. Have I caused this?”–Jon Stewart.
* “What’s the natural market for nautical tourism in Cuba? The United States of America–the No.1 country in the international yachting market. We’re talking about tens of thousands of yachts that might come.”–José Miguel Díaz Eserich, commodore of the International Hemingway Nautical Club of Cuba.
* “We’ve gotten pretty explicit instructions from the court. We’ve had our hand slapped, so let’s get the job done and do it right. I wish we’d done this two years ago.”–Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee, on being back to work on redistricting via special legislative session.
* “As pediatricians, we know the research and statistics about guns and children. They don’t mix. We also know how to speak to families about safety issues in the home. This is our job and obligation. It would be irresponsible not to discuss it.”–David Berman, M.D., pediatric infectious disease specialist and member of Doctors for America.
* “If you’re the last guy to build in Florida, you usually lose your shirt and your underwear.”–Developer Larry Feldman, who has submitted plans for a 52-story, mixed-use tower on the waterfront site where the Trump Tower was once planned.
* “There are no plans at this time.”–Florida Lottery spokeswoman Connie Barnes, on the possibility of selling lottery tickets through the Internet.
* “We have strong demand from our guests to sail from Tampa and are excited to offer a variety of itineraries next fall.”–Andy Stuart, president and COO of Norweigan Cruise line, in announcing plans to bring a new cruise ship to Tampa next year.
* “I’ve heard the community. I understand their concerns. But it’s not something that I’m going to jump into or rush into.”–Tampa Police Chief Eric Ward, on the idea of a citizens review board to scrutinize police actions.
* “That says a lot to somebody from out of town. They think: ‘How innovative can you be if you can’t be innovative about transportation.'”–Daniel James Scott, executive director of the Tampa Bay Technology Forum, on a perception of recent failed transit initiatives.
* “I want this settlement to have generational impact.”–Mayor Bob Buckhorn, in explaining that he wants the city’s BP-settlement funds ($27.4 million) to be used for “legacy projects.”
* “TBX (Tampa Bay Express) is short-sighted, too costly, and solely focused on highway widening to the detriment of urban core historic neighborhoods in the heart of our city.”–Michelle Cookson, secretary of Sunshine Citizens, an anti-TBX group.