* “The military reform has given Russia, the Kremlin and Mr. Putin a usable instrument of foreign policy which Russia did not have for a quarter century.”–Dmitry Trenin, director of the Carnegie Moscow Center think tank.
* “Remember what that flag stands for. For we depend on you–the heirs to that legacy–our men and women in uniform, and the citizens who support you, to carry forward what is best in us–that commitment to a common creed. The confidence that right makes might, not the other way around.”–President Barack Obama, in his counterterrorism address to troops at MacDill Air Force Base.
* “John always had the right stuff.”–President Barack Obama, on the passing of John Glenn.
* “Recent reports of Russian interference in our election should alarm every American. … This cannot become a partisan issue. The stakes are too high for our country.”–Joint statement by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.; Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.; Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.; and Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I.
* “It’s ridiculous.”–Donald Trump, on CIA assessment that Russia tried to interfere with the presidential election.
* “Trump is, by all indications, the Siberian candidate, installed with the help of and remarkably deferential to a hostile foreign power.”–Paul Krugman, New York Times.
* “Donald Trump is Lady Gaga. He is a performance artist.”–Daniel Henninger, Wall Street Journal.
* “I’m, like, a smart person. I don’t have to be told the same thing in the same words every single day for the next eight years. I don’t need that. But I say, ‘If something should change, let us know.'”–Donald Trump’s rationale for not participating in the traditional daily intelligence and national security briefings that presidents hold every day.
* “Disconcerting and disturbingly unqualified choice.” House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, on Donald Trump’s nomination of Ben Carson as secretary of HUD.
* “Steve Bannon. You’re fired!”–Parody Trump Tweet by comedian Aasif Mandvi.
* “Having lost all three branches of the federal government again, progressives are now concluding that they have no alternative but to redouble their efforts at the local level.”–Jeffrey Rosen, president and chief executive of the National Constitution Center.
* “Had he not written that letter a week or so before the election, (Hillary Clinton) would have won. We would’ve picked up at least two more Senate seats.”–Outgoing Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid, on the last-week impact of FBI Director James Comey.
* “The private tourism industry is in direct competition for good supplies with the general population. There are a lot of unanticipated consequence and distortions.”–Richard Feinberg, a specialist in the Cuban economy at the University of California at San Diego, in noting the local impact on food supplies of the record arrival of nearly 3.5 million tourists to Cuba.
* “The conditions were horrific–unfit for human habitation.”–Rep. David Richardson, D-Miami Beach, in criticizing the conditions at Columbia Correctional Institute near Lake City.
* “It’s a funny thing. No tourists came before 1996. Then, in 1996, we formed this agency and we started giving them money and then we started getting tourists. It’s fascinating how that works.”–House Speaker Richard Corcoran’s sarcastic take on Visit Florida’s role in driving tourism since VF’s inception 20 years ago.
* “Delaying climate action will only intensify the damage and increase the costs. … I challenge the president-elect to come to Tallahassee and tell my constituents–those on the front lines of the damage–that climate change isn’t real.”–Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum.
* “If I could change one thing about the party, it would be to modernize and streamline the bylaws and governing structure to allow more people to enter the process.”–Outgoing Florida Democratic Party chairwoman Allison Tant.
* Our message has been clear: We want parents to have a choice in education, but we want it to be an informed choice. We want accountability across the board, and we haven’t seen private schools using vouchers being held to that level of accountability.”–Florida PTA president Cindy Gerhardt.
* “Tea will not be a replacement for citrus, but I think that tea could be part of a diverse profile for growers.”–Brantlee Richter, University of Florida plant pathologist, on research studying the possibility of growing camellias to produce drinkable tea.
* “The results of throwing money at businesses are not impressive. Why not invest in retraining workers to provide companies what they really need–a ready workforce? Our investment would be a win/win by also benefiting Floridians who would become more employable.”–Former Florida Republican legislator Paula Dockery.
* “The paper’s future is local and digital, and coverage of the goings-on in the state Capitol don’t meld as well with this direction.”–Palm Beach Post Tallahassee reporter John Kennedy, on the Post’s decision to close its Tallahassee bureau.
* “This is truly historic for Port Tampa Bay to have cruises to Cuba, and we are thrilled that Royal Caribbean has chosen Port Tampa Bay to offer the largest ship to sail to Cuba (starting in April) from the United States.”–Paul Anderson, CEO of Port Tampa Bay.
* “It’s important that we remember how we got here, because if we don’t, we can’t possibly move forward.”–Mayor Bob Buckhorn, at the ceremony unveiling the latest Riverwalk bronze busts that honor the lives of those who made historic contributions to the city.