The price of being close to the President is delivering bad news. You fail him if you don't tell him the truth.… — Donald Rumsfeld Copy Share Image
Don't be a bottleneck. If a matter is not a decision for the President or you, delegate it. Force responsibility down and… — Donald Rumsfeld Copy Share Image
One of your tasks is to separate the 'personal' from the 'substantive.' The two can become confused, especially if someone rubs the… — Donald Rumsfeld Copy Share Image
Most US presidents since World War II have led military actions without a declaration of war by Congress, though most, if not… — Donald Rumsfeld Copy Share Image
Look for what's missing. Many advisors can tell a President how to improve what's proposed or what's gone amiss. Few are able… — Donald Rumsfeld Copy Share Image
If you foul up, tell the President and correct it fast. Delay only compounds mistakes. — Donald Rumsfeld Copy Share Image
Don't accept the post or stay unless you have an understanding with the President that you're free to tell him what you… — Donald Rumsfeld Copy Share Image
Every country should be tired of going to war. War is a terrible thing. If I had been in Congress, as much… — Donald Rumsfeld Copy Share Image
Know that the immediate staff and others in the Administration will assume that your manner, tone and tempo reflect the President's. — Donald Rumsfeld Copy Share Image
Many people around the President have sizeable egos before entering government, some with good reason. Their new positions will do little to… — Donald Rumsfeld Copy Share Image
A few. . . critics are the only people I ever heard use the phrase 'imminent threat.' I didn't, the president didn't. — Donald Rumsfeld Copy Share Image
When you raise issues with the President, try to come away with both that decision and also a precedent. Pose issues so… — Donald Rumsfeld Copy Share Image
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 Copy Share Image
Every president when he is elected has to live with the pluses and minuses his predecessor leaves, which includes benefits as well… — Donald Rumsfeld Copy Share Image
Make decisions about the President's personal security. He can overrule you, but don't ask him to be the one to counsel caution. — Donald Rumsfeld Copy Share Image
The reality is that [Barack] Obama has some 15 countries in the current Libya coalition. President Bush put together close to 50… — Donald Rumsfeld Copy Share Image
Be able to resign. It will improve your value to the President and do wonders for your performance. — Donald Rumsfeld Copy Share Image
See that the President, the Cabinet and staff are informed. If cut out of the information flow, their decisions may be poor,… — Donald Rumsfeld Copy Share Image
I suppose the implication of that is the president and the vice president and myself and Colin Powell just fell off a… — Donald Rumsfeld Copy Share Image
It is worth reminding that being president is a tough job for anybody, and particularly so in the information age. There's such… — Donald Rumsfeld Copy Share Image
In our system leadership is by consent, not command. To lead a President must persuade. Personal contacts and experiences help shape his… — Donald Rumsfeld Copy Share Image
Five days or five months, but it certainly isn't going to last longer. — Donald Rumsfeld Copy Share Image
I don't believe anyone that I know in the administration ever said that Iraq had nuclear weapons. — Donald Rumsfeld Copy Share Image
I don't think we'll discover anything, myself. I think what will happen is we'll discover people who will tell us where to go find… — Donald Rumsfeld Copy Share Image
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… — Donald Rumsfeld Copy Share Image
The Federal Government should be the last resort, not the first. Ask if a potential program is truly a federal responsibility or whether it… — Donald Rumsfeld Copy Share Image
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… — Donald Rumsfeld Copy Share Image
Don't speak ill of your predecessors or successors. You didn't walk in their shoes. — Donald Rumsfeld Copy Share Image
Enjoy your time in public service. It may well be one of the most interesting and challenging times of your life. — Donald Rumsfeld Copy Share Image
From where you sit, the White House may look as untidy as the inside of a stomach. As is said of the legislative process,… — Donald Rumsfeld Copy Share Image
You will launch many projects, but have time to finish only a few. So think, plan, develop, launch and tap good people to be… — Donald Rumsfeld Copy Share Image
![“The reality is that [Barack] Obama has some 15 countries…” quote by Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d64/donald-rumsfeld-1507_afghan_the-reality-is-that-barack-obama-has-som_1932424.jpg)
