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" Prune - prune businesses, products, activities, people. Do it annually. "
Donald Rumsfeld
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" If you try to please everybody, somebody's not going to like it. "
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" It isn't making mistakes that's critical; it's correcting them and getting on with the principal task. "
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" Learn to say 'I don't know.' If used when appropriate, it will be often. "
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" When cutting staff at the Pentagon, don't eliminate the thin layer that assures civilian control. "
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" 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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" If the staff lacks policy guidance against which to test decisions, their decisions will be random. "
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" Know that the amount of criticism you receive may correlate somewhat to the amount of publicity you receive. "
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" If in doubt, move decisions up to the President. "
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" 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. "
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" Be precise. A lack of precision is dangerous when the margin of error is small. "
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" The way to do well is to do well. "
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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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" Don't speak ill of your predecessors or successors. You didn't walk in their shoes. "
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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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" First rule of politics: you can't win unless you're on the ballot. Second rule: If you run, you may lose. And, if you tie, you do not win. "
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" Reduce the layers of management. They put distance between the top of an organization and the customers. "
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" It is easier to get into something than to get out of it. "
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" With the press there is no 'off the record.' "
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" I don't do quagmires. "
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" 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. "
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" Presidential leadership needn't always cost money. Look for low- and no-cost options. They can be surprisingly effective. "
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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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" 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
" 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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" 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. "
Donald Rumsfeld
" 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
" Work continuously to trim the White House staff from your first day to your last. All the pressures are to the contrary. "
Donald Rumsfeld
" Enjoy your time in public service. It may well be one of the most interesting and challenging times of your life. "
Donald Rumsfeld
" Preserve the President's options. He may need them. "
Donald Rumsfeld
" In the execution of Presidential decisions work to be true to his views, in fact and tone. "
Donald Rumsfeld