Donald Rumsfeld quotes - page 4

When cutting staff at the Pentagon, don't eliminate the thin layer that assures civilian control. (Donald Rumsfeld)
Politics is human beings; it's addition rather than subtraction. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
I shouldn't get into ... this is diplomacy, and I don't do diplomacy. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
And the only way there's going to be followers, is if the leader is doing things that have merit, that are persuasive to others. Why else would someone follow somebody if they didn't think the individual was doing something worthwhile, going in the right direction? View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
Some might ask, how in the world could the Secretary of Defense attack the Pentagon in front of its people? To them I reply, Today, I have no desire to attack the Pentagon; I want to liberate it. We need to save it from itself. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
It is pretty clear that the coalition can win in Afghanistan and Iraq in one way or another, but it will be a long, hard slog. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
We know where they [Iraq's WMD] are. They're in the area around Tikrit and Baghdad and east, west, south, and north somewhat.... View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
It recalls to mind the statement by Winston Churchill, something to the effect that: I have benefited greatly from criticism, and at no time have I suffered a lack thereof. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
Let's hear it for the essential daily briefing, however hollow and empty it might be. We'll do it. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
And it is not knowable if force will be used, but if it is to be used, it is not knowable how long that conflict would last. It could last, you know, six days, six weeks. I doubt six months. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
One of your tasks is to separate the "personal" from the "substantive." The two can become confused, especially if someone rubs the President wrong. (Donald Rumsfeld)
With the press there is no "off the record." View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
Don't automatically obey Presidential directives if you disagree or if you suspect he hasn't considered key aspects of the issue. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
If in doubt, don't. If still in doubt, do what's right. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
Think ahead. Don't let day-to-day operations drive out planning. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
Don't necessarily avoid sharp edges. Occasionally they are necessary to leadership. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
It isn't making mistakes that's critical; it's correcting them and getting on with the principal task. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
Don't think of yourself as indispensable or infallible. As Charles De Gaulle said, the cemeteries of the world are full of indispensable men. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
Don't be a bottleneck. If a matter is not a decision for the President or you, delegate it. Force responsibility down and out. Find problem areas, add structure and delegate. The pressure is to do the reverse. Resist it. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
If you try to please everybody, somebody's not going to like it. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
Don't speak ill of your predecessors or successors. You didn't walk in their shoes. (Donald Rumsfeld)
Make decisions about the President's personal security. He can overrule you, but don't ask him to be the one to counsel caution. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
Don't say "the White House wants." Buildings can't want. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
Let your family, staff, and friends know that you're still the same person, despite all the publicity and notoriety that accompanies your position. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld
Our task, your task... is to try to connect the dots before something happens. People say, 'Well, where's the smoking gun?' Well, we don't want to see a smoking gun from a weapon of mass destruction. View quote
Donald Rumsfeld