Donald Rumsfeld quotes - page 3

In our system leadership is by consent, not command. To lead a President must persuade. Personal contacts and experiences help shape his thinking. They can be critical to his persuasiveness and thus to his leadership. (Donald Rumsfeld)
Prune - prune businesses, products, activities, people. Do it annually. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
Presidential leadership needn't always cost money. Look for low- and no-cost options. They can be surprisingly effective. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
The price of being close to the President is delivering bad news. You fail him if you don't tell him the truth. Others won't do it. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
Arguments of convenience lack integrity and inevitably trip you up. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
I don't do quagmires. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
Don't blame the boss. He has enough problems. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
If you develop rules, never have more than ten. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
If you foul up, tell the President and correct it fast. Delay only compounds mistakes. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
Oh my goodness gracious, what you can buy off the Internet in terms of overhead photography. A trained ape can know an awful lot of what is going on in this world, just by punching on his mouse, for a relatively modest cost. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
Leave the President's family business to him. You will have plenty to do without trying to manage the First Family. They are likely to do fine without your help. (Donald Rumsfeld)
Secretary Powell and I agree on every single issue that has ever been before this administration except for those instances where Colin's still learning. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
See that the President, the Cabinet and staff are informed. If cut out of the information flow, their decisions may be poor, not made, or not confidently or persuasively implemented. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
The Secretary of Defense is not a super General or Admiral. His task is to exercise civilian control over the Department for the Commander-in-Chief and the country. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
Visit with your predecessors from previous Administrations. They know the ropes and can help you see around some corners. Try to make original mistakes, rather than needlessly repeating theirs. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
When you raise issues with the President, try to come away with both that decision and also a precedent. Pose issues so as to evoke broader policy guidance. This can help to answer a range of similar issues likely to arise later. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
Members of the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate are not there by accident. Each managed to get there for some reason. Learn what it was and you will know something important about them, about our country and about the American people. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
Know that the amount of criticism you receive may correlate somewhat to the amount of publicity you receive. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
Be precise. A lack of precision is dangerous when the margin of error is small. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
In the execution of Presidential decisions work to be true to his views, in fact and tone. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
When asked for your views, by the press or others, remember that what they really want to know is the President's views. (Donald Rumsfeld)
Don't do or say things you would not like to see on the front page of The Washington Post. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
First rule of politics: you can't win unless you're on the ballot. Second rule: If you run, you may lose. And, if you tie, you do not win. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
Imagine, a September 11 with weapons of mass destruction. It's not 3,000. It's tens of thousands of innocent men, women and children. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
In politics, every day is filled with numerous opportunities for serious error. Enjoy it. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld