Quoteworthy

* “I am reaffirming our ironclad commitment to the security of our gulf partners.”–President Barack Obama to Arab-state leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council meeting at Camp David.

* “We are natural allies… The way we should look at it is what India and the U.S. can together do for the world…strengthening democratic values all over.”–Indian Prime Minister Narenda Modi.

* “You are an angel of peace.”–Pope Francis to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

* “The Trans-Pacific Partnership is a boon for America. It reduces tariff barriers to vast Asian markets and strengthens protection for intellectual property, America’s forte. … The Democrats, inventors of the postwar free-trade regime, have now turned against it. This is the Republicans’ chance to demonstrate that they can think large by advancing an important strategic objective.”–Charles Krauthammer, Washington Post.

* “Every time we’ve toppled a secular strong man, we’ve gotten chaos and more radical Islam, and we’re all less safe because of it. I think I could say that at the Iowa Republican convention and still be well-received with it.”–Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky.

* “My relationship with God drives every major decision in my life.”–Wisconsin Republican Gov. Scott Walker, at an Iowa forum for potential presidential candidates.

* “I’m running because I think the world is falling apart.”–Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.

* “Washington is broken. Trust me, I’ve seen it firsthand.”–Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas.

* “I have been to Washington, and let me tell you there is no monopoly of knowledge there.”–Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky.

* “I’m not a United States senator–thank God.”–Jeb Bush.

* “Now you just get elected to the Senate and announce you’re running for president. I don’t want to criticize these guys; they’re all free to do what they want to do. But I think they could all use another term, maybe. … This might be the year of the governor.”–Former Sen. Bob Dole, R-Kansas, who served in the Senate for nearly three decades and ran for president in 1996.

* “I don’t go out of my way to disagree with my brother.”–Jeb Bush.

* “Consider this: Jeb hasn’t even been asked any questions yet about W’s dark contributions on waterboarding, the deficit and the near-total collapse of the American economy.”–Maureen Dowd, New York Times.

* “Last election cycle, the Republican presidential field was a clown car. … This time around it’s a clown bus, with as many as 17 Republicans expected to compete.”–Timothy Egan, New York Times.

* “I’m not evolving when it comes to gay rights. I was there.”–Vermont Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders.

* “Efficiency is required  over time in capitalism. I don’t know of any company that has a policy that says, ‘We’re going to have a lot more people than we need.”–Warren Buffett, defending the need for layoffs.

* “Florida will now be the first winner-take-all primary in the country. This ensures that all presidential campaigns will have to spend a considerable amount of time in Florida.”– Republican Party Chairman Blaise Ingoglia, after the GOP’s executive board approved new rules regarding Florida’s March 15, 2016 primary.

* “Part of the reason why so many people want me to run, I think, is because I already have strong name ID.”–Former Attorney General Bill McCollum, on interest in Florida’s 2016 U.S. Senate race.

* “The numbers in our quarterly report confirm the vibrancy of the housing market in Florida. Even the condo market, which had lagged the single-family market, has performed nicely.”–John Tuccillo, Florida Realtors’ chief economist.

* “I am grateful Speaker (Steve) Crisafulli has agreed to debate the critical health care challenges facing Florida. I look forward to the opportunity to again make the case for the Senate’s free-market solution to coverage expansion.”–Florida Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando.

* “This is the Sopranos.”–Gov. Rick Scott, in reference to the Obama Administration.

* “I don’t think anybody really understands what a continuation budget is.”–Senate President Andy Gardiner.

* “Sea grass was our canary in the coal mine (and) major losses occurred when Tampa Bay was in distress. Now with sustained good water quality in the bay, sea grasses are flourishing.”–Swiftmud scientist Kris Kaufman.

* “In the Florida Legislature, just like in many cities, the red-light camera revenue is like legislated meth. If the city starts losing money, like many of the other cities, they’ll get rid of it, which will prove it was never about safety.”–State Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg.

* “I’m sure when I get my feet settled, there’s going to be some changes. Right now I’m looking at every aspect of this agency and seeing how we can make it better.”–New Tampa Police Chief Eric Ward.

* “Unfortunately, Brazil is one of the most difficult countries to do business with. You need to have the knowledge to get through the system.”–Sueli Bonaparte, president and founder of the Tampa-based Brazil-Florida Business Council.

* “The trains running through downtown and blowing their horns 10 years ago didn’t matter, because there was no one living there. It matters now. Train noise reverberates off of the high-rises like a canyon.”–Mayor Bob Buckhorn, after City Council approved spending more than $1.35 million in downtown development funds to help create a “quiet zone.”

* “We’re not going after their market.”–Hillsborough County Commission Chairman Sandra Murman, who sits on the Tampa Port Authority board, referring to the relationship between Port Tampa Bay and Port Manatee.

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