* “We all know that it was the arms race that led to the disintegration of the Soviet Union. Russia is not ready financially for a new arms race.”–Irina Kobrinskaya, political analyst with the Institute of World Economy and International Relations at the Russian Academy of Sciences.
* “In American revolutions, power generally flows to moderate revolutionaries. Sam Adams may get things started, but it is John who gets things done.”–Michael Gerson, Washington Post.
* “I’ve written this book because I recognize there’s no such thing as accurate, short-term history. I want to give future historians a perspective: mine.”–Former President George W. Bush on the publication of his book “Decision Points.”
* “We need to finish our work in Iraq, which still has the potential to be a long-term game-changer in the Arab-Muslim world, but we need to get out of Afghanistan–even if it entails risks–because we can’t afford to spend $190 million a day to bring its corrupt warlords from the 15th to the 19th century.”–Thomas Friedman, New York Times.
* “It’s like you cease to belong.”–Rep. Mike Castle, R-Del., who lost his bid for the Senate, on the status of lame duck House members.
* “Arizona is now the model when it comes to knives.”–Todd Rathner, lobbyist for Knife Rights Inc., on Arizona’s recent blade-friendly legislation.
* “If you drink a 24-ounce can of (alcoholic energy drink) Four Loko in one hour, that’s almost like drinking a full six-pack of beer in an hour. You have that caffeine making you more alert, so you keep drinking. It’s like the worst of the worst things you can do.”–Glenn Whalen, assistant professor at the University of South Florida College of Pharmacy.
* “For us, it would be a death blow if we had an environmental disaster on the west coast of Florida. We got a glimpse into the nightmare. I don’t think we have to live the whole thing.”–Steve Yerrid, special council on oil-related matters for Florida.
*”They keep saying he’s not a very good candidate, and he keeps winning.”–University of Central Florida political scientist Aubrey Jewett on Florida’s Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson.
* “Voters in the eastern part of our own county said, ‘wait a minute’ because the anti-rail folks were very effective at making this ‘a tax for rail in Tampa.’ And they are the ones that really drilled down ‘It’s us versus them,’ which I’ve never bought into.”–Hillsborough County Commissioner Mark Sharpe.
* “He’s a consensus builder. We really need that.” Recent State House District 47 GOP candidate Irene Guy on the formal entrance of Dick Greco into Tampa’s mayoral race.
* “He (Greco) could win. I have no doubt about it.”–Jan Platt, who lost to Greco in 1995.
* “When I am mayor of Tampa, I fully hope to tap into Dick Greco’s great charisma to be an ambassador for our city. But I really don’t want him running it.”–Tampa mayoral candidate Ed Turanchik.
* “Nostalgia only goes so far.”–Tampa mayoral candidate Bob Buckhorn.
* “I’m not sure that he (Greco) understands the ramifications of not having any money to do anything. He enjoyed the big projects.”–Tampa mayoral candidate Tom Scott.
* “To me, he’s a pro coach. College is a lot of babysitting, making sure guys go to class, all that stuff. It’s not all about football. And Jon is all football.” Bucs’ linebacker Barrett Ruud on Jon Gruden.