Category: Media Watch

* “If the choice is one state, Israel can either be Jewish or democratic, it cannot be both, and it won’t ever really be at peace.”–Secretary of State John Kerry.

* “Mr. Trump has heated up the Jewish culture wars and, inadvertently or otherwise, advanced fanaticism.”–Bernard Avishai, author of “The Hebrew Republic” and “The Tragedy of Zionism.”

* “As long as Kim Jong Un is in power, North Korea will never give up its nuclear weapons.”–Thae Yong Hu, former North Korean diplomat who recently defected.

* “Great move on delay (by V. Putin). I always knew he was very smart.”–Donald Trump, on Vladimir Putin announcing that Russia won’t immediately retaliate for President Obama ordering sanctions on Russian spy agencies, closing two Russian compounds and expelling 35 diplomats.

* “We intend to lead the effort in the new Congress to impose stronger sanctions on Russia.”–Part of a joint statement by Republican Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.

* “Write it out and have it delivered by courier, the old-fashioned way. Because I’ll tell you what–no computer is safe. I don’t care what they say.”–Donald Trump.

* “It’s been the privilege of my life to serve as your president. I look forward to standing with you as a citizen. Happy New Year everybody.”–President Barack Obama.

* “Happy New Year to all, including to my many enemies and those who have fought me and lost so badly they just don’t know what to do. Love.”–Donald Trump.

* “When working-class whites in the Rust Belt find health care is less secure and a trade war does not produce good-paying jobs, they will look for practical solutions. Democrats better have some.”–Jennifer Rubin, Washington Post.

* “Bring it on. They don’t know what to do. They’re like the dog that caught the bus.”–Incoming Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, responding to Republican promises to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

* “At the end of the day, he’s not someone that’s going to sit back and wait.”–Sean Spicer, incoming White House press secretary, defending Donald Trump’s involvement with the U.N. Israeli vote.

* “Yes, I’m a liberal. Jesus Christ was a liberal, was he not? I mean, it’s not a dirty word–to want to change things.”–Recently retired Florida Supreme Court Justice James E.C. Perry.

* “I’m not prepared to say (Tampa) wouldn’t have received it anyway, but the new downtown Tampa was the icing on the cake.”–Bill Hancock, executive director of the College Football Championship, on a key factor in awarding Tampa the national championship game.

* “Tampa is a larger city with a small-town feel. You feel welcome when you come in.”–Sports marketing consultant Ken Elder.

* “My goal as the State Attorney is to target the crimes that pose the greatest threats to our community–violent crime, economic crime, chronic offenders–while finding smart alternatives to prison for non-violent and first-time offenders, especially juveniles.”–Hillsborough County State Attorney-elect Andrew Warren.

* “It’s going to be a while before we get to that critical mass where we have a network of safe places where you can safely, or even predictably, cycle.”–Beth Alden, executive director of the Hillsborough Metropolitan Planning Organization.

* “One cannot simultaneously champion expanding Israeli settlements and champion a viable two-state solution that would end the conflict.”–Samantha Power, U.S. ambassador to the U.N., explaining why the Obama Administration allowed (via abstention) the U.N. Security Council to adopt a resolution that condemned Israeli settlement construction.

* “(Obama) not only failed to protect Israel against this gang-up at the U.N., but (the U.S.) has colluded with it behind the scenes.”–Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

* “Whatever our personal politics, how can we possibly want to respond to Russia’s interference in our election by putting American foreign policy in the hands of a Putin friend?”–Nicholas Kristof.

* “Relations between Russia and the U.S. remain an important factor in ensuring stability and security of the modern world.”–Russian President Vladimir Putin.

* “Let it be an arms race. We will outmatch (any adversary) at every pass and outlast them all.”–Donald Trump.

* “There are signs that Mr. Trump seeks to diminish the news media’s traditional role by using Twitter, video messages and public rallies to circumvent the White House press corps and communicate directly with voters–taking a page out of the playbook of populist leaders like Silvio Berlusconi in Italy, Hugo Chavez in Venezuela and Recep Tayyip-Erdogan in Turkey.”–Steven Levitsky, professor of government at Harvard University.

* “The emerging policy agenda is anything but populist. All indications are that we’re looking at huge windfalls for billionaires combined with savage cuts in programs that serve not just the poor but also the middle class. And the white working class, which provided much of the 46 percent Trump vote share, is shaping up as the biggest loser.”–Paul Krugman, New York Times.

* “It looks like Trump isn’t the only billionaire set to profit off of the presidency.”–DNC spokesman Eric Walker.

* “Because I will be devoting so much time and energy to the presidency and solving the many problems facing our country and the world, I don’t want to allow good work to be associated with the possible conflict of interest.”–Donald Trump, on his plans to shut down his charitable foundation.

* “The Trump Foundation is still under investigation by this office and cannot legally dissolve until that investigation is complete.”–Amy Spitalnick, spokeswoman for the New York attorney general’s office.

* “Moderation is a difficult virtue for people to rally around, since by definition it doesn’t arouse fervor or zealous advocates. But in a time of spreading resentments and rage, when truth is increasingly the target of assault and dialogue is often viewed as betrayal, moderation isn’t simply a decorous democratic quality; it becomes an essential democratic virtue.”–Peter  Wehner, senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center.

* “I believe one of the failures of the Democratic Party has been the DNC. The Democratic National Committee has been worthless.”–Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada.

* “My colleagues and I are recognizing the considerable progress the economy has made.”–Janet L. Yellen, chairwoman of the Federal Reserve, which recently raised its benchmark interest rate for just the second time since the financial crisis of 2008.

* “Doomsday predictions about the marketplace were wrong. … The marketplace is strong.”–HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell, referring to the 7 percent increase in Americans signing up for the Affordable Care Act.

* “Jacqueline Kennedy to me was probably the most unknown of the known women of the 20th century.”–Pablo Larrain, director of “Jackie.”

* “Tech companies should be required to make devices that cannot be used in moving cars. Pedestrians should not be allowed to have powered up devices or ear equipment within 100 yards of a road.”–Dick Meyer, Scripps Washington Bureau.

* “The future of Florida is at stake. We would like to discuss with you the impact that sea level rise will have on properties like Mar-A-Lago.”–Excerpt from climate-change letter to Donald Trump from 10 Florida scientists.

* “While I’m compelled at some point to re-engage in the political arena, I just think the timing right now is not right.”–Former Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford, in announcing that he won’t run for governor in 2018.

* “Airbnb, Uber and Lyft are all disruptive technologies that are changing the way we do business. Tampa needs to be a place that welcomes that.”–Mayor Bob Buckhorn.

* “I’ve never shied away from saying what my age (87) is. I’m proud of it. It was an issue in the campaign, and I’m glad people said age shouldn’t be an impediment if you’re doing a good job.”–Hillsborough Clerk of Court Pat Frank.

* The best way to counter misinformation and outright fake news–whoever the partisans, whatever the platforms–is with an informed electorate. Absent that, anything is possible–including the undermining of democracy.

* It wasn’t too long ago, of course, that this market had two major daily newspapers. What’s weird is that the surviving Tampa Bay Times is now thinner than it used to be. But obits are alive and well and remain a notable, prominent staple. Also noteworthy: the lack of proof-reading–from incorrect page jumps to misspellings, including headlines, to mislabelings–no, Gwen Graham is not a Republican.

Speaking of, the Times just announced a series of staff promotions. One included the newly created position  of “audience editor,” which deals with the expansion of the Times’ online reach.

It makes sense in the constantly morphing worlds of journalism and technology. But too bad the new position wasn’t “proof-reading czar.”

* Plaudits to the Craig Newmark Foundation for its proactive, $1 million gift to the Times’ owner, the Poynter Institute. “I want to stand up for trustworthy journalism, and I want to stand against deceptive and fake news,” said Craig Newmark, who is also the founder of Craigslist.

* Underscoring the import of Newmark’s commitment, this just in from the Pew Research Center: Survey results showed that nearly one fourth of Americans acknowledge having shared fake news. Sobering.

* Nice to hear that former Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden is the subject of a major documentary, “The Bowden Dynasty: A Story of Faith, Family & Football,” that will be making its debut at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Pete next month–the night before the national championship game in Tampa. Good timing too–the movie was finished before Bowden had a chance to campaign for Donald Trump in Tampa.

* “Not much happens in Russia without Vladimir Putin.”–President Barack Obama.

* “Vladimir Putin himself directed the covert cyberattacks against our electoral system, against our democracy, apparently because he has a personal beef against me.”–Hillary Clinton.

* “Earlier this week, I met separately with (FBI director) James Comey and (Director of National Intelligence) Jim Clapper, and there is strong consensus among us on the scope, nature and intent of Russian interference in our presidential election.”–CIA Director John Brennan.

* “(Russian hacks) simply cannot be a partisan issue. The Russians are not our friends.”–Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

* “Our goal continues to be to send a clear message to Russia or others not to do this to us because we can do stuff to you. But it is also important to us to do that in a thoughtful, methodical way. Some of it, we will do publicly. Some of it we will do in a way that they know, but not everybody will.”–President Barack Obama.

* “If Trump had lost the Electoral College while winning the popular vote, an army of Republican lawyers would have descended on the courts and local election officials. … And they would have started on the morning of Nov. 9, using the rhetoric of patriotism and courage.”–David S. Cohen, Drexel University law professor.

* “It is deeply unsettling that our current secretary of energy (former MIT Professor Ernest Moniz), a renowned nuclear physicist, could be succeeded by a contestant on ‘Dancing with the Stars.’ Governor (Rick) Perry is simply not qualified for this position and should be rejected.”–Rep. Frank Pallone of New Jersey, the top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

* “Scientists continue to disagree about the degree and extent of global warming and its connection to the actions of mankind.”–Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the EPA.

* “Look at his Cabinet. These are the globalists his people hated. These are the Wall Street vulture capitalists his people hated, and for the most part his people have shown again and again they just don’t care.”–Florida Republican consultant Rick Wilson.

* “One thing (Trump) does know is how to get angry, white men to vote for him.”–Bill Clinton.

* “We want you to keep going with the incredible innovation. Anything we can do to help this go on, we will be there for you. You’ll call my people, you’ll call me. We have no formal chain of command around here.”–Donald Trump, at the summit he convened for tech leaders.

* “If you’re talking about a political system that skews rural, that’s not as important if there isn’t a major cleavage between rural and urban voting behavior. But urban and rural voting behavior is so starkly different now so that this has major political consequences for who has power.”–Frances Lee, professor of government and politics at the University of Maryland.

* “There is no mystery about Barack Obama’s greatest presidential achievement: He stopped the Great Recession from becoming the second Great Depression. … Suppose we had had a second Great Depression with, say, peak unemployment of 15 percent. Almost all our problems–from poverty to political polarization–would have worsened. Obama’s influence must be considered in this context. When historians do, they may be more impressed.”–Robert Samuelson, Washington Post.

* “We adopted the modern Social Security system at a time when the average person died before they were old enough to get Social Security.”–Newt Gingrich.

* “I look forward to working with him. But if he is going to rip the rug out from under families by privatizing Medicare or taking it to seniors in nursing homes or these small-business owners who finally have peace of mind and economic stability that health insurance provides, then he is going to have a battle on his hands.”–Florida Congresswoman Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, on what might lie ahead in her relationship with U.S. Rep. Tom Price, who has been nominated for HHS secretary.

* “Hit the reset button.”–What Florida DOT Secretary Jim Boxold said about TBX plans.

* “We are the brand behind the world’s best brands.”–Jabil CEO Mark Mondello.

* “This is a chamber that continues to embrace young professionals. There is no JV team at the chamber. If you raise your hand and follow through, nothing stops you.”–Mike Griffin, 37, the new–and youngest-ever–chairman of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce.

* “I need to be able to audit them. I don’t just take checks not knowing where it came from.”–Tax Collector Doug Belden, on Hillsborough County’s priority in reaching an agreement to collect bed taxes from Airbnb.

* “The first question I asked when told about the statue was, ‘Do I have to die now?’ If that was required, then I wanted to let them know that I don’t want one.”–E.J. Salcines, upon learning that he will be immortalized with a bronze statue in front of the old Hillsborough County Courthouse in downtown Tampa.

* “I’m not going to throw stones or daggers, although I have plenty to throw and they’re plenty sharp. The time will come for that.”–Kyle Cockream, outgoing executive director of the Public Transportation Commission, in his final address to the board.

There are several reasons why I have not yet seen “Hamilton.” Logistics and cost are the primary ones.

But there’s another. I haven’t read the book, the definitive, 731-page “Alexander Hamilton” by Ron Chernow. I think it should be required reading. At least by me.

Moreover, I own it–and have since the Christmas of 2005. It has been sitting impressively–in all its Federalist splendor–on my library shelf, a haunting reminder of hauteur. As if I’m claiming to be better read and better informed than I am. Hypocritically humbling.

Enough. The Hamilton tome has now been relocated to a nightstand, and I’m more than half way through. And I’m finding Hamilton–battlefield hero, principal designer of the federal government, catalyst for the two-party system and the essence of inexplicably, flawed brilliance–beyond compelling.

Then, and only then, will come “Hamilton,” the musical. After that? “Civilisation” by Kenneth Clarke: You’re on notice.

* “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.

* “Good luck to us all.”–Italian Premier Matteo Renzi, whose reforms were opposed by ever-increasing populists, in announcing his plans to resign.

* “Because (Donald Trump) achieved success in business, it suggests that he is a clever man.”–Russian President Vladimir Putin.

* “If the Electoral College is to control who becomes our president, we should take it seriously by understanding its purpose precisely. It is not meant to deny a reasonable judgment by the people. It is meant to be a circuit breaker–just in case the people go crazy.”–Author and Harvard Law Professor Lawrence Lessig.

* “Jill Stein is the friend who ruins your wedding but really shows up for you during the divorce.”–Comedian Morgan Murphy.

* “He’s a demagogue, who seems to appeal to the lowest common denominator.”–Astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, on Donald Trump.

* “In terms of strengthening America’s global standing among European and Mideastern nations alike, the sense is that America has become somewhat irrelevant in the Middle East, and we certainly have the least influence in 40 years.”– Retired Marine Gen. James N. Mattis, Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of defense.

* “The working assumption on behalf of all these foreign government officials will be that there is an advantage to doing business with the Trump organization. They will think it will ingratiate themselves with the Trump Administration. And this will significantly complicate United States foreign policy and our relationships around the world.”–Michael H. Fuchs, former deputy assistant secretary at the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

* “We’ve had good intentions behind our isolation policy toward Cuba, but the results have not changed. It’s time to try a new approach.”–Sen. John Boozeman, R-Ark.

* “I hope that we will have a great long-term relationship. I really liked him a lot and I’m a little bit surprised I’m telling you that I really liked him a lot.”–Donald Trump on President Barack Obama.

* “I found it an extremely interesting conversation, and to be continued, and I’m just going to leave it at that.”–Former Vice President Al Gore, after meeting with Donald Trump.

* “I’m on the transition team, and we’re doing everything we can to help (Trump) put the best people in place. … I think the whole country should be so proud of how hard he is up there working.”–Pam Bondi.

* “Release your tax returns, and I’ll stop.”–Alec Baldwin, responding to Donald Trump’s criticism of his SNL impersonation of the president-elect.

* “Trump promised to clean up the swamp, and a whole lot of his nominees have had their career in the swamp.”–Incoming Democratic Senate Leader Chuck Schumer.

* “Paul Ryan right now loves me, Mitch McConnell loves me. It’s amazing how winning can change things.”–Donald Trump.

* “What’s about the happen in Washington may be a little like the end of the Cold War–bipolarity gives way to multipolarity. A system dominated by two party-line powers gives way to a system with a lot of different power centers.”–David Brooks, New York Times.

* “(Trump’s) Carrier shakedown is a short-term political victory that will hurt workers and the economy if it becomes the norm for the next four years.”–Wall Street Journal editorial.

* “Unions are a small minority (11.1 percent of the American workforce), but they still have a strong war chest that can be used for political purposes.”–Randel K. Johnson, senior vice president at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

* “What we’ve been doing over the last 15 to 20 years simply isn’t working.”–Steven Chabinsky, a member of the Presidential Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity.

* “With the unemployment rate this low and wages rising, now is the real test of whether a stronger economy can bring people back into the job market.”–Jed Kolko, chief economist at Indeed, a job search website, commenting on a November unemployment rate of 4.6 percent–a nine-year low.

* “It’s always a good experience to get beat bad. It is humbling, and that’s not bad.”–Jeb Bush.

* “America needs talent–and these students, who have been raised and educated in the United States, are already part of our national community. They represent what is best about America, and as scholars and leaders they are essential to the future.”–Excerpt from an open letter from more than 350 college presidents, including USF’s Judy Genshaft, urging support for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

* “If they have nine days of mourning, we’ll have nine days of celebration.”–Patsy Sanchez, USF’s director of diversity and inclusion, on reactions to the death of Fidel Castro.

* “All I’d say on that is that we’re going to honor the will of the voters, we’re going to protect the Constitution, and we’re going to protect the people’s state of Florida.”–Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran on the status of medical marijuana legislation, which hasn’t been filed yet.

* “The Senate has been a leader in making sure we’re not wasting … our children’s time taking tests we do not need.”–Florida Senate Appropriations Chairman David Simmons.

* “I want people, in the state of Florida at least, to know they have an ally in us. I don’t care if they voted for Clinton or Trump or the Green Party or anyone else. … If their civil rights have been violated, we will have their back.”–Hassan Shibly, chief executive director for the Council on American Islamic Relations Florida.

* “I think West Tampa is really very ripe for redevelopment. The fact that West Tampa has fairly affordable homes between the two largest employment centers–West Shore and downtown Tampa–is a huge advantage.”–Former Hillsborough County Commissioner Ed Turanchik.

* “History will record and judge the enormous impact of this singular figure on the people and world around him. … We offer condolences to Fidel Castro’s family, and our thoughts and prayers are with the Cuban people. In the days ahead, they will recall the past and also look to the future. As they do, the Cuban people must know that they have a friend and partner in the United States of America.”–President Barack Obama.
* “The world marks the passage of a brutal dictator who oppressed his own people for nearly six decades. … Though the tragedies, deaths and pain caused by Fidel Castro cannot be erased, our administration will do all it can to ensure the Cuban people can finally begin their journey toward prosperity and liberty.”–President-elect Donald Trump.
* “Slamming the door shut at this point in time would be disastrous. Instead, Fidel Castro’s death should encourage all of us to meet the challenge of better diplomatic relations, economic opportunities for Cubans and Americans, expanded travel, and support for the dignity of the Cuban people.”–Democratic U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor of Tampa.
* “It’s important to reaffirm that, more than ever, we need an America that’s committed to world affairs.”–Francois Delattre, French ambassador to the United Nations.
* “The basic argument that China and Russia make is not that their system is better, but that we are the same–just as corrupt, sordid and undemocratic.”–Tom Malinowski, assistant secretary of state for democracy, human rights and labor.
* “The long-term question is whether America pulls back from Asia and makes it easier for China to force countries in the region to make a choice between China and the United States.”–Richard Bush, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, on the implications of the reversal of U.S. membership in the 12-nation Trans Pacific Partnership.
* “Mr. Obama was a great policy maker, but not a great party builder. In the face of Republican intransigence, he still managed to get things done. But the strategies that made him successful–passing legislation by the narrowest partisan majority, refraining from boasting about what his reforms accomplished, and in the end, falling back on executive orders–are exactly what make his legacy so vulnerable.”–Julian Zelizer, Princeton University historian.
* “Don’t be surprised if, like FDR (with radio), Trump marshals his Twitter followers to lobby and troll members of Congress who oppose him.”–Matt Lewis, Daily Caller.
* “In addition to winning the Electoral College in a landslide, I won the popular vote if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally.”–President-elect Donald Trump.
* “Right-wing nutty.”–Former Secretary of State Colin Powell’s assessment of Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, Trump’s choice for national security adviser.
* “In the long run, people like Bannon and Trump will be open to the clarity of our ideas.”–Jared Taylor, founder of the white nationalist publication American Renaissance.
* “We can work together to quickly pass a robust infrastructure jobs bill.”–Democratic House leader Nancy Pelosi.
* “On basic issues of humanity, we don’t give an inch.”–Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
* “Being an evangelical used to mean practicing a certain form of faith. But ‘evangelical’ has gone from being an adjective to a noun, a simplistic tribal identity that commands Republican affiliation.”–David Brooks, New York Times.
* “If you only focus on the toxic crap, you’re not being fair to the Trump voters. But if you deny all the toxic crap, you’re not being fair to the rest of Americans.”–CNN contributor Van Jones.
* “Facebook is no longer just a social network. It’s an advertising medium that’s now dangerously easy to weaponize.”–McKenzie Funk, founding member of the journalism cooperative Deca.
* “The Sunshine State’s college attainment rate rose and the growth forecast rates are among the nation’s best. Projected job and population growth are both expected to be second best in the country over the next five years with income growth fourth fastest.”–Excerpt from Forbes’ annual “Best States for Business” list. Florida was ranked 12th overall.
* “Florida is still viewed as a dream vacation, especially internationally. The whole state is doing well, and we continue to outpace the rest of the country.”–Patrick Harrison, chief marketing officer for Visit Tampa Bay, on data showing tourists visiting Florida in record numbers this year.
* “There are a lot of American businesses that are starting to benefit from the opening (to Cuba) that has occurred to date, and the president-elect is a businessman. We are hopeful that the president-elect will allow the relationship-building to continue.”–St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman.

* “Donald J. Trump campaigned on the slogan ‘Make America Great Again,’ a phrase whose ‘great’ was widely heard as ‘white.'”–Nell Irvin Painter, author and professor emeritus of history at Princeton University.

* “Trump’s main problem in governing is not going to be some fascistic ideology; his main problem is going to be his own attention span, ignorance and incompetence. If he’s left to bloviate while others are left to run the country and push through infrastructure plans, maybe things won’t be disastrous.”–David Brooks, New York Times.

* “It is fully my intention to serve out my term.”–Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen.

* “I’m staying in Florida.”–Gov. Rick Scott.

* “The president-elect, a borrower, heads the political party that has long represented the interests of lenders.”–Binyamin Appelbaum, New York Times.

* “Bringing back the gold standard would be very hard to do, but, boy, would it be wonderful.”–President-Elect Donald Trump.

* “To root for Mr. Trump to fail is worse than unpatriotic. It’s self-defeating.”–Bret Stephens, Wall Street Journal.

* “We truly hope that this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and to work on behalf of all of us.”–Brandon Victor Dixon, the actor who plays Aaron Burr in Hamilton, in  post-curtain call comments directed at Vice President-Elect Mike Pence.

* “The ONLY bad thing about winning the presidency is that I did not have the time to go through a long but winning trial on Trump U. Too bad!”–President-Elect Donald Trump.

* “Right-wing nutty.”–Colin Powell’s assessment of Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, Trump’s choice for national security adviser.

* “Look, Trump has been elected, he will be our president and he has the right to choose conservatives. But instead of turning to the many principled Republicans available, he seems drawn to hotheads and bigots, embarrassing himself and our nation.”–Nicholas Kristof, New York Times.

* “You can’t have all the good parts of an unregulated insurance market (freedom to buy what you want, when you want, with market pricing) without the bad parts (steadily rising premiums and insurance that is unaffordable for people who are old and sick). … Anyone promising better quality health care at lower cost with fewer regulations and lower taxes–is peddling hokum.”–Steven Pearlstein, professor of public affairs at George Mason University.

* “I think we have a big problem. We really need to do something about this.”–Hamilton E. James, president of the private equity firm Blackstone, referring to the low retirement savings of the average American.

* “Any energy company in the world that makes its strategy without considering climate change policies is making a major mistake.”–Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency.

* “Facebook may want to claim that it is remaining neutral, but that is a false and dangerous stance. The company’s business model, algorithms and policies entrench echo chambers and fuel the spread of misinformation.”–Zeynep Tufekei, associate professor at the University of North Carolina School of Information and Library Science.

* “These are my principles. If you don’t like them, well, I have others.”–Groucho Marx.

* “Close to one in every four U.S. home owners with a mortgage is now equity rich thanks to a combination of rising home prices and lengthening homeownership tenures.”–Daren Blomquist, senior vice president of ATTOM Data Solutions, the parent company of RealtyTrac.

* “Are you sure? I’m just an old baseball announcer.”–Response of recently retired Dodgers’ sportscaster Vin Scully, 88, upon learning that he was one of the cultural, athletic and philanthropic luminaries named recipients of the 2016 Presidential Medal of Freedom.

* “I’m happy to be alive. I think the greatest gift you could have is to witness your life on earth.”–Iconic, 90-year-old singer Tony Bennett.

* “I now have a president I can talk to. I talk to Trump a lot. I have both a president and a vice president who are friends of mine.”–Gov. Rick Scott.

* “I’ve never known what it’s like to have a Republican president. I can tell you over the last six years, Washington was the hardest part of my job.”–South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.

* “Whoever it is, I run my race like there’s no tomorrow.”–Sen. Bill Nelson, on opponent scenarios–including Rick Scott–for his 2018 re-election race.

* “A lot of things get said on the campaign trail, more so in this election than any other I can remember. But there is a big difference between campaigning and governing.”–Retired Army Major Gen. Mike Jones, former chief of staff  of MacDill-based  U.S. Central Command.

* “We should be frugal, we should be reasonable, but our state does need infrastructure.”–Incoming Florida Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart.

* “It’s been insane. Everybody is thinking that Mr. Trump is going to get sworn in and (the federal immigration service) is going to be knocking on their doors and putting them on planes.”–Tampa Bay immigration attorney Arturo Rios.

* “We can do things that other cancer centers can’t do. We feel it is a responsibility at Moffitt to accelerate this pace of discovery.”–Dr. Thomas Sellers, director of the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, on recently announced major expansion plans.

* “This is going to be a Super Bowl-level event. We’re expecting big, big numbers.”–Santiago Corrada, president and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay, on the impact of the Jan. 9 College Football Playoff National Championship game at Raymond James Stadium.

* “You have brought diversity to our county that was sorely needed. … People will remember you and respect you for that.”–Hillsborough County Commissioner Sandy Murman to outgoing Commissioner Kevin Beckner, the first openly gay county commissioner.

* “Tampa already has a superior startup ecosystem that, if we solve the issues with access to capital and cooperation among entrepreneurial support organizations, could become the Austin of the Southeast.”–SavvyCard CEO David Etheredge.

* “Everything is moving north on Howard because everything south of Kennedy is already developed.”–Hotel developer Mike Desai, part of a partnership that purchased the former Balbin Bros. Cigar Factory at 1202 N Howard Ave.