* “The embargo is going to end.”–President Barack Obama, in his visit to Havana.
* “Obama would like to be remembered as the president who ended the Cold War in Latin America and normalized relations with Cuba, so he needs to do as much as he can to make it difficult for the next president to reverse this.”–Geoff Thale, Cuba specialist with the Washington Office on Latin America.
* “In today’s Russia, corrupt officials steal from the budget, police officers demand bribes and judges are believed to be bought and sold. Longing for the ‘order’ of the past is palpable. … The Putin government is able to capitalize on Stalin’s legacy because Russia has not fully reconciled with the dark side of this heritage.”–Alec Luhn, The Moscow Times.
* “The only other time that has happened to me was with Fidel Castro in Guadalajara, Mexico.”–Jorge Ramos, host of “Noticiero Univisión,” on the two times he has been physically removed from a news conference. The more recent one involved Donald Trump.
* “It is now time for Republicans to accept and respect the will of the voters and coalesce behind Donald Trump.”–Gov. Rick Scott.
* “Our country and our world need someone who is going to protect our security like never before, and that’s why I support Donald.”–Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.
* “The only real strength of Trump’s candidacy has been to expose and shame the cowards and opportunists among us. Remember them.”–Kathleen Parker, Washington Post.
* “In Cleveland this summer, the men and women of the Republican Party may face a straightforward choice: Betray the large minority of Republicans who cast their votes for Trump, or betray their obligations to their country.”–Ross Douthat, New York Times.
* “What is so disturbing today is that suffusing our politics is not just an air of division but an air of menace.”–Charles Krauthammer, Washington Post.
* “He may very well be a very good nominee. I voted for him earlier. But it’s not about the nominee, it’s about the process.”–Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, explaining his reasoning for not allowing a public hearing on President Obama’s Supreme Court nomination of Merrick B. Garland.
* “Just man up and cast a vote.”–Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., calling for an up-or-down vote on Judge Garland.
* “The Senate should have a (confirmation) hearing and put it up for a vote. I don’t think it will be approved.”–U.S. Rep. David Jolly, R-Indian Shores.
* “It protects the Atlantic for future generations.”–Interior Secretary Sally Jewell on the Obama Administration’s decision to bar oil drilling off the United States’ Atlantic Coast.
* “The (Cuban) embargo stands for, and should continue to stand for, human rights and freedom.”–Florida Lt. Gov. Carlos López-Cantera, who is running for the U.S. Senate.
* “The movement of company headquarters overseas is a symptom. The disease is we have an outdated tax code.”–Mark Vitner, senior economist at Wells Fargo Securities.
* “It’s staying. It’s a good constraint for us. It allows for of-the-moment brevity.”–Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, in assuring that the 140-character limit will remain.
* “He doesn’t seem like a victim in the traditional way, but we need to think about the principle here. You should be able to control who sees you naked. It doesn’t matter if you are promiscuous or not promiscuous.”–Mary Ann Franks, University of Miami law professor and legislative and tech policy director of the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative.
* “The fear was palpable that vetoes would be severe, deep and swift. Frankly, I am surprised.”–Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, on Gov. Rick Scott’s relatively modest veto impact.
* “I personally hate early voting. One of the most important factors in filling out a ballot is having as much information as possible. And if you vote two weeks early, you’re depriving yourself of that information.”–Darryl Paulson, professor emeritus of government at USF.
* “I think it isn’t wise to say no to things in life. All I can say is that right now, I have no plans to run.”–Former Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, now president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, on running again for public office.
* “Kids are our best natural resources.”–Jeff Vinik, whose Vinik Family Foundation recently gave $2.5 million to renovate and expand a Boys and Girls Club recreation center in the Palm River area.
* “Our enemies can never destroy us. We can only destroy ourselves when we allow fear and hate to turn us against each other and undermine the values and principles we hold so dear which make our nation so great.”–Hassan Shibly, civil rights attorney and chief executive director of the Florida Council on American Islamic Relations.
* “TPP does correct a lot of NAFTA’s issues. I think moving forward, opening up trade is a good thing. We really ought to be focused on how the economy’s changing and how the workforce, the skill set needed to compete in a global economy, is changing.”–Mayor Bob Buckhorn.
* “The best cultural tribute to our authentic places, music and art? Preserve them! But recognizing the destruction of the neighborhood and eulogizing its loss with art is much better than nothing.”–Former Tampa City Council member Linda Saul-Sena, on the mood-altering, artistic touches at Perry Harvey Park.
* “Young people want to live in places that are cool and happening. … We need to dare to lead.”–Mickey Jacob of BDG Architects.
* “We are 20-30 years behind our competition. We are trying to compete in a Model T when they are driving Teslas. Time is not our friend at this point.”–Hillsborough County Administrator Mike Merrill, on the need for more transit options.
* “The Tampa Bay region has a robust enough business community that we should be able to generate significantly greater corporate support than we have, and we’re going to make that a major focus of the next few months.”–Tampa Bay Rays President Brian Auld.