* “(Trump) has a fairly large base of support within the United States, and, as far as I understand, he is not going to depart from the political life of his country.”–Russian President Vladimir Putin.
* “(The Trump Administration) has fallen far short in holding the Kremlin accountable.”–David Simon, cybersecurity expert and former Defense Department special counsel.
* “Trust is the coin of the realm.”–George Schultz, former U.S. secretary of state, treasury and labor.
* “Since the election, it has become more apparent how moderate Biden really is. There is not a single super-progressive among his Cabinet and senior staff picks. … If Biden holds the line against the most progressive elements in his party, ex-Republicans might find themselves surprisingly comfortable in a Biden Democratic Party.”–Jennifer Rubin, Washington Post.
* “(Trump’s) going to be the college freshman who hangs out in the high school parking lot during winter break, wanting to recreate the magic. … I look forward to 2020 ending, some time in early 2025.”–Matt Gorman, Republican strategist who worked on Jeb Bush’s 2016 presidential bid.
* This is the light at the end of the tunnel. But it’s a long tunnel.”–New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, as the biggest vaccination campaign in U.S. history kicked off.
* “Housing remains a bright spot in an otherwise weak economy, seeing a bounce from strong demand and low mortgage rates.”–Rubeela Farooqi, chief U.S. economist at Hight Frequency Economics.
* “What we did see in middle and high schools was students who were at home were two times as likely to have a D or F.”—Kevin Hendrik, Pinellas associate superintendent for teaching and learning.
* “The few businesses in the community who aren’t good citizens have to be addressed.”–Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, as Tampa code enforcement officers began enforcing the county’s orders on mask use and bans of dance floor crowds.
* “Really? Are we really going to have that discussion? It’s amazing to me.”–St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman, in response to those who say they have a right to go dancing.
* “I think the history-making nature of this appointment, combined with his 41-year career in the military, makes him the perfect choice for this.”–Former Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, on President-elect Biden’s choice of retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin III, the former commander of the U.S. Central Command at MacDill AFB, as secretary of defense. Austin, the first black commander of Central Command, would also be the first black defense secretary.
* “I loved every minute of it. I could do it 24 hours a day. … I had an appointment every 15 to 20 minutes with whoever wanted to come. We got so much done.”–Former Tampa Mayor Dick Greco, reflecting on his City Hall years.