--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Certainly, the Bush Administration will…" description: "\"Certainly, the Bush Administration will rely in the first instance on its friends, since it would be both illogical and counterproductive to reward its..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eab/richard-v-allen-24604_administration_certainly-the-bush-administration-will-r_2252480.png" --- # Certainly, the Bush Administration will rely in the first… ![“Certainly, the Bush Administration will rely in the first instance on its friends, since it would be both illogical and counterproductive to reward its adversaries.” quote by Richard V. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eab/richard-v-allen-24604_administration_certainly-the-bush-administration-will-r_2252480.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eab/richard-v-allen-24604_administration_certainly-the-bush-administration-will-r_2252480.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eab/richard-v-allen-24604_administration_certainly-the-bush-administration-will-r_2252480.png) > “Certainly, the Bush Administration will rely in the first instance on its friends, since it would be both illogical and counterproductive to reward its adversaries.” [Richard V. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-v-allen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The administration will prioritize allies over enemies because rewarding opponents would be irrational and harmful. **In simple terms:** Help friends, not foes. Key Takeaway Support allies first. Themes politics strategy alliances Mood cautious pragmatic Type political strategic When to use this quote - foreign policy negotiations - international aid - defense planning - diplomatic outreach Key Concepts realpolitik decision making Questions to Reflect On - How do you identify true allies? - When might rewarding an opponent be advantageous? A Different Perspective May overlook potential benefits of engaging adversaries. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Administration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/administration/) [Adversaries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adversaries/) [Bush administration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bush-administration/) [Counterproductive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/counterproductive/) [Counterproductive Reward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/counterproductive-reward-5151023/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Illogical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illogical/) [Illogical Counterproductive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illogical-counterproductive-5151022/) [Instance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instance/) [Rely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rely/) [Reward Adversaries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reward-adversaries-5151024/) [Rewards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rewards/) [Would be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/would-be/) ## Related quotes > [A Bush Administration will, I believe, enjoy a better relationship with the new Congress, although President-elect Bush will be faced with real challenges in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-v-allen/a-bush-administration-will-i-believe-enjoy-a-better-relationship-with/) [Richard V. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-v-allen/) > [I'm not going to shoot seven days a week. I think it's counterproductive. I think you're going to have people stumbling around after a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-corman/i-m-not-going-to-shoot-seven-days-a-week-i-think-it-s/) [Roger Corman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-corman/) > [What I do know is that drones are a modern weapon. When used effectively, when taking out ISIS or terrorist leaders, that's pretty impressive.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/what-i-do-know-is-that-drones-are-a-modern-weapon-when-used/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [Dwelling too much on the past, other than to learn specific things is counterproductive for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-condit/dwelling-too-much-on-the-past-other-than-to-learn-specific-things-is/) [Carlos Condit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-condit/) > [I want to compliment the fraternity and sorority organizations for taking the time to meet with us and then removing their support from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-mccaskill/i-want-to-compliment-the-fraternity-and-sorority-organizations-for/) [Claire McCaskill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-mccaskill/) > [Tackling the environment should not be a licence to lecture people, because they have no excuse not to exercise, or eat their fruit and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lansley/tackling-the-environment-should-not-be-a-licence-to-lecture-people/) [Andrew Lansley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lansley/) > [I spent so much of my life being counterproductive to society that to be in a place where I'm able to help people has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jelly-roll/i-spent-so-much-of-my-life-being-counterproductive-to-society-that-to/) [Jelly Roll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jelly-roll/) > [“Regret is counterproductive. It's looking back on a past that you can't change. Questioning things as they occur can prevent regret in the future.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-hoover/regret-is-counterproductive-it-s-looking-back-on-a-past-that-you-can/) [Colleen Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-hoover/) > [I would need to see changes in the Iraq governance. Otherwise I don't think strikes are going to have any impact and could be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-schiff/i-would-need-to-see-changes-in-the-iraq-governance-otherwise-i-don-t/) [Adam Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-schiff/) > [We are born for synergy, just like the feet, just like the hands, just like the eyes, just like the rows of upper and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/we-are-born-for-synergy-just-like-the-feet-just-like-the-hands-just/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [Everything that the administration has done has been counterproductive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-mckibben/everything-that-the-administration-has-done-has-been-counterproductive/) [Bill McKibben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-mckibben/) > [It's a terrible and tragic and counterproductive policy to avoid communicating with people who disagree with us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/it-s-a-terrible-and-tragic-and-counterproductive-policy-to-avoid/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [“The tools of the Internet and social media have made it possible to track, test, iterate, and improve marketing to the point where these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/the-tools-of-the-internet-and-social-media-have-made-it-possible-to/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [It's counterproductive. The problem with sentimentality is that it kills the emotion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-pierre-dardenne/it-s-counterproductive-the-problem-with-sentimentality-is-that-it/) [Jean-Pierre Dardenne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-pierre-dardenne/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) ## More by Richard V. Allen > [The Leader will be a person with the management skills to coordinate the activities of the Team, and to assure that the Team remains…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-v-allen/the-leader-will-be-a-person-with-the-management-skills-to-coordinate/) [Richard V. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-v-allen/) > [Our system provides for a winner to take office on January 20th, and he is expected to take command of the ship of state.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-v-allen/our-system-provides-for-a-winner-to-take-office-on-january-20th-and/) [Richard V. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-v-allen/) > [Unlike the Reagan and Bush Administrations, with but one exception, the Clinton administration failed to reach out to Republicans in creating a new team,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-v-allen/unlike-the-reagan-and-bush-administrations-with-but-one-exception-the/) [Richard V. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-v-allen/) > [A skilled Transition Team leader will set the general goals for a Transition, and then confer on the other team leaders working with him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-v-allen/a-skilled-transition-team-leader-will-set-the-general-goals-for-a/) [Richard V. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-v-allen/) > [Favoritism' is always a factor, and pressure always build for the appointment of friends of influential supporters of the President, or for the nominees…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-v-allen/favoritism-is-always-a-factor-and-pressure-always-build-for-the/) [Richard V. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-v-allen/) > [The 'transition' involves the transfer of power from one president to another. In recent times, the incoming President has designated a Director of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-v-allen/the-transition-involves-the-transfer-of-power-from-one-president-to/) [Richard V. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-v-allen/) > [Naming a transition team varies with the intentions of the candidate; some candidates have been careful to name a transition team as much as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-v-allen/naming-a-transition-team-varies-with-the-intentions-of-the-candidate/) [Richard V. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-v-allen/) > [The Reagan Administration, generally regarded as having conducted the most successful Transition of modern times, had managed during the election campaign to build bridges…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-v-allen/the-reagan-administration-generally-regarded-as-having-conducted-the/) [Richard V. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-v-allen/) > [At the same time, the Reagan Administration assured that the main elements of policymaking were in the hands of competent loyalists, thus assuring a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-v-allen/at-the-same-time-the-reagan-administration-assured-that-the-main/) [Richard V. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-v-allen/) > [If you love your children, if you love your country, if you love the God of love, clear your hands from slaves, burden not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-v-allen/if-you-love-your-children-if-you-love-your-country-if-you-love-the/) [Richard V. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-v-allen/) > [Usually, those persons closest to the incoming President will be the main leaders of the Transition effort. They are most familiar with his policies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-v-allen/usually-those-persons-closest-to-the-incoming-president-will-be-the/) [Richard V. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-v-allen/) > [Temporary teams of trusted people are generally sent to all Departments and to major agencies of government to assist in planning and to acquaint…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-v-allen/temporary-teams-of-trusted-people-are-generally-sent-to-all/) [Richard V. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-v-allen/) > [A Bush Administration will, I believe, enjoy a better relationship with the new Congress, although President-elect Bush will be faced with real challenges in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-v-allen/a-bush-administration-will-i-believe-enjoy-a-better-relationship-with/) [Richard V. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-v-allen/) > [Explaining the $1000 in cash and two watches he was given by two Japanese journalists after he helped arrange a private interview for them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-v-allen/explaining-the-1000-in-cash-and-two-watches-he-was-given-by-two/) [Richard V. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-v-allen/) > [I would argue that the next President, either Bush or Gore, should strike a 'national' posture, exhibiting generosity toward the defeated opponent, but proceeding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-v-allen/i-would-argue-that-the-next-president-either-bush-or-gore-should/) [Richard V. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-v-allen/) [Explore all 24 Richard V. Allen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-v-allen/) ## More Administration quotes > [We need a system that serves our needs, not the needs of others. Remember, under a Trump administration it's called America first. Remember that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-need-a-system-that-serves-our-needs-not-the-needs-of-others/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [While the people retain their virtue and vigilance, no administration, by any extreme of wickedness or folly, can very seriously injure the government in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/while-the-people-retain-their-virtue-and-vigilance-no-administration/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [If you want to serve in a Trump administration, you're going to serve this country, not yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-spicer/if-you-want-to-serve-in-a-trump-administration-you-re-going-to-serve/) [Sean Spicer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-spicer/) > [Listen, I have a great affection and respect for Joe Biden. I think he's been a great vice president. He's taken on a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-axelrod/listen-i-have-a-great-affection-and-respect-for-joe-biden-i-think-he/) [David Axelrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-axelrod/) > [I don't believe anyone that I know in the administration ever said that Iraq had nuclear weapons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/i-don-t-believe-anyone-that-i-know-in-the-administration-ever-said/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [What was unique about me being in City Hall during the Giuliani Administration, I was the only one who wasn't an attorney. I may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-lhota/what-was-unique-about-me-being-in-city-hall-during-the-giuliani/) [Joe Lhota](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-lhota/) > [The Trump administration launched the cruise missile strikes in Syria, an act of war, without a U.N. resolution or Congressional authorization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-bergen/the-trump-administration-launched-the-cruise-missile-strikes-in-syria/) [Peter Bergen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-bergen/) > [The only way I'll ever run a marathon is if I'm involved in the administration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-phillips/the-only-way-i-ll-ever-run-a-marathon-is-if-i-m-involved-in-the/) [Sally Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-phillips/) > [Obama spent the first two years of his administration practicing political unilateral disarmament.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cenk-uygur/obama-spent-the-first-two-years-of-his-administration-practicing/) [Cenk Uygur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cenk-uygur/) > [The actions of the University in my case make it abundantly clear that the Administration's rhetoric about Harvard's desire to attract and retain the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-geller/the-actions-of-the-university-in-my-case-make-it-abundantly-clear/) [Margaret Geller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-geller/) > [In mid-May, the House of Representatives approved the full amount of money that the Veterans Administration said was needed for next year - plus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doc-hastings/in-mid-may-the-house-of-representatives-approved-the-full-amount-of/) [Doc Hastings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doc-hastings/) > [In 1953, the United States played a significant role in orchestrating the overthrow of Iran's popular prime minister, Mohammed Mossadegh. The Eisenhower administration believed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-albright/in-1953-the-united-states-played-a-significant-role-in-orchestrating/) [Madeleine Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-albright/) > [The administration of George W. Bush, emboldened by the Sept. 11 attacks and the backing of a Republican Congress, has sought to further extend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-feldman/the-administration-of-george-w-bush-emboldened-by-the-sept-11-attacks/) [Noah Feldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-feldman/) > [When we criticize in Iran the actions of the government, the fundamentalists say that we and the Bush Administration are in the same camp.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirin-ebadi/when-we-criticize-in-iran-the-actions-of-the-government-the/) [Shirin Ebadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirin-ebadi/) > [We will finally complete the biometric entry-exit visa tracking system, which we need desperately. For years Congress has required biometric entry-exit visa tracking systems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-will-finally-complete-the-biometric-entry-exit-visa-tracking/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) [Browse all 1,855 Administration quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/administration/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Certainly, the Bush Administration will rely in the first instance on its friends, since it would be both illogical and counterproductive to reward its adversaries.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Richard V. Allen" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-v-allen/certainly-the-bush-administration-will-rely-in-the-first-instance-on/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Administration" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-v-allen/certainly-the-bush-administration-will-rely-in-the-first-instance-on/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eab/richard-v-allen-24604_administration_certainly-the-bush-administration-will-r_2252480.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eab/richard-v-allen-24604_administration_certainly-the-bush-administration-will-r_2252480.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eab/richard-v-allen-24604_administration_certainly-the-bush-administration-will-r_2252480.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Certainly, the Bush Administration will rely in the first instance on its friends, since it would be both…” — Richard V. Allen", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Richard V. Allen", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-v-allen/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Certainly, the Bush Administration will rely...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-v-allen/certainly-the-bush-administration-will-rely-in-the-first-instance-on/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-v-allen/certainly-the-bush-administration-will-rely-in-the-first-instance-on/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```