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" I don't do quagmires. "
Donald Rumsfeld
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" The Federal Government should be the last resort, not the first. Ask if a potential program is truly a federal responsibility or whether it can better be handled privately, by voluntary organizations, or by local or state governments. "
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" Many people around the President have sizeable egos before entering government, some with good reason. Their new positions will do little to moderate their egos. "
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" Don't automatically obey Presidential directives if you disagree or if you suspect he hasn't considered key aspects of the issue. "
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" If it were a fact, it wouldn't be called intelligence. "
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" You're thinking of Europe as Germany and France. I don't. I think that's old Europe. "
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" I can't tell you if the use of force in Iraq today will last five days, five weeks or five months, but it won't last any longer than that. "
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" Work continuously to trim the White House staff from your first day to your last. All the pressures are to the contrary. "
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" If in doubt, move decisions up to the President. "
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" Don't necessarily avoid sharp edges. Occasionally they are necessary to leadership. "
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" If you try to please everybody, somebody's not going to like it. "
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" 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 to see what isn't there. "
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" Reduce the number of lawyers. They are like beavers - they get in the middle of the stream and dam it up. "
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" If you foul up, tell the President and correct it fast. Delay only compounds mistakes. "
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" Let your family, staff, and friends know that you're still the same person, despite all the publicity and notoriety that accompanies your position. "
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" 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. "
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" In the execution of Presidential decisions work to be true to his views, in fact and tone. "
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" Remember where you came from. "
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" 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. "
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" Don't divide the world into 'them' and 'us.' Avoid infatuation with or resentment of the press, the Congress, rivals, or opponents. Accept them as facts. They have their jobs and you have yours. "
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" It is easier to get into something than to get out of it. "
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