Talking about Al Austin    Eight of the best quotes on local
host committee chairman and longtime Republican fundraiser Al
Austin that I didn't use in my story about him earlier this
month in the Tampa Bay Times and Politico:  1. Paul Catoe: "Al,
he's a unique guy. He's not the warmest person in the world.
He's not a huggable guy. But he's a guy that if you're his
friend he'll do anything in the world you."  2. Ron Rotella:
"There's a joke around town, and the state, that one of the most
dreaded phone calls is when the receptionist comes in and says,
'Al Austin's on the phone.' But they take that call. He's
persistent."  3. Dr. R. Vijay: "You know why the phone call
comes from Al. It's like a wallet biopsy. He's the wallet biopsy
king."  4. Dick Beard: "He'd start going around the room,
saying, 'How much money are you going to give to the cause?'
He'd put you into some embarrassing situations. ... But he
firmly believes in what he's asking for. I think that's the
reason he can do it so well. That's probably t