--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As a press secretary and on 'The Five,'…" description: "\"As a press secretary and on 'The Five,' I've learned that I have a choice in how I answer a question. There's combative or productive - I get to take m..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/482/dana-perino-2974_answer_as-a-press-secretary-and-on-the-five-i-v_1884352.png" --- # As a press secretary and on 'The Five,' I've learned that… ![“As a press secretary and on 'The Five,' I've learned that I have a choice in how I answer a question. There's combative or productive - I get to take my pick.” quote by Dana Perino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/482/dana-perino-2974_answer_as-a-press-secretary-and-on-the-five-i-v_1884352.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/482/dana-perino-2974_answer_as-a-press-secretary-and-on-the-five-i-v_1884352.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/482/dana-perino-2974_answer_as-a-press-secretary-and-on-the-five-i-v_1884352.png) > “As a press secretary and on 'The Five,' I've learned that I have a choice in how I answer a question. There's combative or productive - I get to take my pick.” [Dana Perino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-perino/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She emphasizes that responding to questions can be either confrontational or constructive, and we can choose the tone. **In simple terms:** We can choose to answer aggressively or helpfully. Key Takeaway Choose constructive communication. Themes communication choice politics Mood reflective assertive Type practical motivational When to use this quote - press briefings - interviews - debates - media training Key Concepts psychology conflict resolution media strategy Questions to Reflect On - When do you opt for combative vs productive? - What influences your tone? A Different Perspective Choosing positivity may be difficult under pressure. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Choice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choice/) [Press](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/press/) [Truth Seeking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth-seeking/) ## Related quotes > [Thomas Jefferson asked himself “In what country on earth would you rather live ” He first answered “Certainly in my own where are all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/thomas-jefferson-asked-himself-in-what-country-on-earth-would-you/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“I’ve learned that it’s all about choice. You can choose to turn regrets into lessons that change your future.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-harris/i-ve-learned-that-it-s-all-about-choice-you-can-choose-to-turn/) [Ali Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-harris/) > [There's no job that will humble you like the White House press secretary job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-perino/there-s-no-job-that-will-humble-you-like-the-white-house-press/) [Dana Perino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-perino/) > [“People liked to imagine they were free to choose their own lives, but she had learned that choice was sometimes illusory.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/people-liked-to-imagine-they-were-free-to-choose-their-own-lives-but/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [People really think that the only way I got to be press secretary is because I somehow had a personal family connection to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-perino/people-really-think-that-the-only-way-i-got-to-be-press-secretary-is/) [Dana Perino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-perino/) > [The thing about American politics, as I've learned, is there is no choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-walton/the-thing-about-american-politics-as-i-ve-learned-is-there-is-no/) [Rob Walton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-walton/) > [The day I became press secretary to the President of the United States, I was in an entirely different world from the one I'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-salinger/the-day-i-became-press-secretary-to-the-president-of-the-united/) [Pierre Salinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-salinger/) > [Being a press secretary is like learning to type: You're hunting and pecking for a while and then you find yourself doing the touch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-speakes/being-a-press-secretary-is-like-learning-to-type-you-re-hunting-and/) [Larry Speakes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-speakes/) > [Wow, the entire network of anchors has been hired to be the press secretary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-stewart/wow-the-entire-network-of-anchors-has-been-hired-to-be-the-press/) [Jon Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-stewart/) > [Every press secretary faces an enormous amount of information. Events move really fast. You're responsible for a tremendous amount of information, and again, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-dee-myers/every-press-secretary-faces-an-enormous-amount-of-information-events/) [Dee Dee Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-dee-myers/) > [I spent almost eight years working for the Obama administration, in the White House as the deputy press secretary, deputy communications director, communications director,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-psaki/i-spent-almost-eight-years-working-for-the-obama-administration-in/) [Jen Psaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-psaki/) > [The press secretary who starts to narrow down or close the president's options because he answers delicate negotiating questions no longer serves the president.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-fleischer/the-press-secretary-who-starts-to-narrow-down-or-close-the-president/) [Ari Fleischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-fleischer/) > [“I wouldn’t expect a press secretary to be part of this.” Andrea nodded slightly. “I can see how the title might give that impression,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-kay/i-wouldn-t-expect-a-press-secretary-to-be-part-of-this-andrea-nodded/) [Elliott Kay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-kay/) > [The biggest challenge of being the press secretary is trying to be aware of all of the things that are happening, both around the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-earnest/the-biggest-challenge-of-being-the-press-secretary-is-trying-to-be/) [Josh Earnest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-earnest/) > [As press secretary, I spent countless hours defending the administration from the podium in the White House briefing room.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-mcclellan/as-press-secretary-i-spent-countless-hours-defending-the/) [Scott McClellan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-mcclellan/) ## More by Dana Perino > [On election night 2000, I had never met then-Governor Bush, though I'd supported him for years. I believed he would be a strong, optimistic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-perino/on-election-night-2000-i-had-never-met-then-governor-bush-though-i-d/) [Dana Perino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-perino/) > [There are times, especially on 'The Five,' where I've lost control for a moment. I always feel bad about it, but those always seem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-perino/there-are-times-especially-on-the-five-where-i-ve-lost-control-for-a/) [Dana Perino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-perino/) > [I am a pretty level-headed person, but that person, Harry Reid, has been the most destructive entity in Washington when it comes to civility.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-perino/i-am-a-pretty-level-headed-person-but-that-person-harry-reid-has-been/) [Dana Perino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-perino/) > [Conservatism by its very nature is compassionate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-perino/conservatism-by-its-very-nature-is-compassionate/) [Dana Perino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-perino/) > [I believe that leaders should inspire you to be more like them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-perino/i-believe-that-leaders-should-inspire-you-to-be-more-like-them/) [Dana Perino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-perino/) > [Even before the hearings that led to confirmation of Chief Justice Roberts, senators were saying they were reserving judgment on how they would vote…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-perino/even-before-the-hearings-that-led-to-confirmation-of-chief-justice/) [Dana Perino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-perino/) > [President Obama was never going repeal Obamacare - he was not going to be brought to his knees with the threat of a government…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-perino/president-obama-was-never-going-repeal-obamacare-he-was-not-going-to/) [Dana Perino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-perino/) > [I feel like there should be a statute of limitations on scoring political points on the tragedy that was Hurricane Katrina.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-perino/i-feel-like-there-should-be-a-statute-of-limitations-on-scoring/) [Dana Perino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-perino/) > [I think it is very good for the country, for the world, and especially for the Democrats that Harry Reid is retiring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-perino/i-think-it-is-very-good-for-the-country-for-the-world-and-especially/) [Dana Perino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-perino/) > [My dad was a voracious news consumer. I remember just sitting with my family all the time. I would sit on his lap and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-perino/my-dad-was-a-voracious-news-consumer-i-remember-just-sitting-with-my/) [Dana Perino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-perino/) > [Don't forget: before there would be a #NeverTrump hashtag, there would have been a #NeverJeb hashtag. And a lot of people would have been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-perino/don-t-forget-before-there-would-be-a-nevertrump-hashtag-there-would/) [Dana Perino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-perino/) > [I was raised to believe that America was a force for good in the world and that it should take its leadership role seriously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-perino/i-was-raised-to-believe-that-america-was-a-force-for-good-in-the/) [Dana Perino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-perino/) > [I love to drive in the Black Hills of Wyoming and South Dakota with Mount Rushmore as the central stop.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-perino/i-love-to-drive-in-the-black-hills-of-wyoming-and-south-dakota-with/) [Dana Perino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-perino/) > [I've traveled to many countries in Africa, and to me, Benin felt the most hopeful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-perino/i-ve-traveled-to-many-countries-in-africa-and-to-me-benin-felt-the/) [Dana Perino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-perino/) > [I get a choice every time I have to open my mouth: that it can be with civility and dignity and grace - or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-perino/i-get-a-choice-every-time-i-have-to-open-my-mouth-that-it-can-be-with/) [Dana Perino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-perino/) [Explore all 143 Dana Perino quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-perino/) ## More Answer quotes > [Sometimes a question can hurt more than an answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/sometimes-a-question-can-hurt-more-than-an-answer/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [What you are is a question only you can answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lois-mcmaster-bujold/what-you-are-is-a-question-only-you-can-answer/) [Lois McMaster Bujold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lois-mcmaster-bujold/) > [Enjoying life isn't about finding the answers, but living the questions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-margolis/enjoying-life-isn-t-about-finding-the-answers-but-living-the-questions/) [Sue Margolis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-margolis/) > [The boldness of asking deep questions may require unforeseen flexibility if we are to accept the answers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-greene/the-boldness-of-asking-deep-questions-may-require-unforeseen/) [Brian Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-greene/) > [“And if you can’t say yes, answer anyway. Because I’d rather live with the answer than die with the question.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ellis/and-if-you-can-t-say-yes-answer-anyway-because-i-d-rather-live-with/) Jon Ellis > [“There is a cure and answer to everything, we just haven't found them yet.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eve-halimi/there-is-a-cure-and-answer-to-everything-we-just-haven-t-found-them/) [Eve Halimi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eve-halimi/) > [Whenever I'm asked about Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi, I always answer: 'Neymar is the best,' not just because of his goals but because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-carlos/whenever-i-m-asked-about-cristiano-ronaldo-or-lionel-messi-i-always/) [Roberto Carlos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-carlos/) > [A wiki works best where you're trying to answer a question that you can't easily pose, where there's not a natural structure that's known…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ward-cunningham/a-wiki-works-best-where-you-re-trying-to-answer-a-question-that-you/) [Ward Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ward-cunningham/) > [“Those are good questions. I recognize good questions, because I can come up with them myself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-brust/those-are-good-questions-i-recognize-good-questions-because-i-can/) [Steven Brust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-brust/) > [My answer is bring 'em on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/my-answer-is-bring-em-on/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [I'll answer anything... I'm brutally honest, actually, which gets me in trouble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-mclachlan/i-ll-answer-anything-i-m-brutally-honest-actually-which-gets-me-in/) [Sarah McLachlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-mclachlan/) > [“...I guess I can put two and two together." "Sometimes the answer's four," I said, "and sometimes it's twenty-two...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dashiell-hammett/i-guess-i-can-put-two-and-two-together-sometimes-the-answer-s-four-i/) [Dashiell Hammett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dashiell-hammett/) > [Jumping someone is never the answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/jumping-someone-is-never-the-answer/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I play along myself, even though I can't help the player. So I can't say what I think the answer might be. But I'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paddy-mcguinness/i-play-along-myself-even-though-i-can-t-help-the-player-so-i-can-t/) [Paddy McGuinness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paddy-mcguinness/) > [Sometimes the question is complicated, but the answers are simple.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-suess/sometimes-the-question-is-complicated-but-the-answers-are-simple/) [Dr Suess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-suess/) Browse all 2,090 Answer quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "As a press secretary and on 'The Five,' I've learned that I have a choice in how I answer a question. 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