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" 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

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" Don't say 'the White House wants.' Buildings can't want. "

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" Make decisions about the President's personal security. He can overrule you, but don't ask him to be the one to counsel caution. "

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" Learn to say 'I don't know.' If used when appropriate, it will be often. "

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" Think ahead. Don't let day-to-day operations drive out planning. "

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" Your performance depends on your people. Select the best, train them and back them. When errors occur, give sharper guidance. If errors persist or if the fit feels wrong, help them move on. The country cannot afford amateur hour in the White House. "

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" Be able to resign. It will improve your value to the President and do wonders for your performance. "

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" Don't do or say things you would not like to see on the front page of The Washington Post. "

Donald Rumsfeld

" 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 do it. "

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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. "

Donald Rumsfeld

" Oh my goodness gracious, what you can buy off the Internet in terms of overhead photography. A trained ape can know an awful lot of what is going on in this world, just by punching on his mouse, for a relatively modest cost. "

Donald Rumsfeld

" The Secretary of Defense is not a super General or Admiral. His task is to exercise civilian control over the Department for the Commander-in-Chief and the country. "

Donald Rumsfeld

" The way to do well is to do well. "

Donald Rumsfeld

" If the staff lacks policy guidance against which to test decisions, their decisions will be random. "

Donald Rumsfeld

" It isn't making mistakes that's critical; it's correcting them and getting on with the principal task. "

Donald Rumsfeld

" In the execution of Presidential decisions work to be true to his views, in fact and tone. "

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. "

Donald Rumsfeld

" If it were a fact, it wouldn't be called intelligence. "

Donald Rumsfeld

" If you foul up, tell the President and correct it fast. Delay only compounds mistakes. "

Donald Rumsfeld

" Don't blame the boss. He has enough problems. "

Donald Rumsfeld

" When cutting staff at the Pentagon, don't eliminate the thin layer that assures civilian control. "

Donald Rumsfeld

" When you raise issues with the President, try to come away with both that decision and also a precedent. Pose issues so as to evoke broader policy guidance. This can help to answer a range of similar issues likely to arise later. "

Donald Rumsfeld

" There are a lot of people who lie and get away with it, and that's just a fact. "

Donald Rumsfeld

" Secretary Powell and I agree on every single issue that has ever been before this administration except for those instances where Colin's still learning. "

Donald Rumsfeld

" Visit with your predecessors from previous Administrations. They know the ropes and can help you see around some corners. Try to make original mistakes, rather than needlessly repeating theirs. "

Donald Rumsfeld

" If in doubt, don't. If still in doubt, do what's right. "

Donald Rumsfeld

" 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 it was and you will know something important about them, about our country and about the American people. "

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. "

Donald Rumsfeld

" Public servants are paid to serve the American people. Do it well. "

Donald Rumsfeld

" If in doubt, move decisions up to the President. "

Donald Rumsfeld

" Remember where you came from. "

Donald Rumsfeld