Donald Rumsfeld Quotes

It is easier to get into something than to get out of it.
Donald Rumsfeld

Know that the amount of criticism you receive may correlate somewhat to the amount of publicity you receive.
Donald Rumsfeld

May, Criticism, Publicity

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

Family, Person, Friends

If a prospective Presidential approach can't be explained clearly enough to be understood well, it probably hasn't been thought through well enough. If not well understood by the American people, it probably won't 'sail' anyway. Send it back for further thought.
Donald Rumsfeld

Through, Thought, Enough

In our system leadership is by consent, not command. To lead a President must persuade. Personal contacts and experiences help shape his thinking. They can be critical to his persuasiveness and thus to his leadership.
Donald Rumsfeld

Leadership, Help, Thinking

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

Able, President, Value

Don't automatically obey Presidential directives if you disagree or if you suspect he hasn't considered key aspects of the issue.
Donald Rumsfeld

Key, Issue, Disagree

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

Front, Washington, Post

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

House, Wants, White

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.
Donald Rumsfeld

Politics, May, Win

If in doubt, move decisions up to the President.
Donald Rumsfeld

Doubt, Decisions, President

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

Decisions, Against, Test

If you develop rules, never have more than ten.
Donald Rumsfeld

Rules, Ten, Develop

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

Mistakes, Tell, President

Imagine, a September 11 with weapons of mass destruction. It's not 3,000. It's tens of thousands of innocent men, women and children.
Donald Rumsfeld

Women, Men, Children

In politics, every day is filled with numerous opportunities for serious error. Enjoy it.
Donald Rumsfeld

Politics, Enjoy, Serious

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

Learn, Often, Used

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

Him, Decisions, Personal

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

Someone, Confused, Two

Politics is human beings; it's addition rather than subtraction.
Donald Rumsfeld

Politics, Human, Rather

Preserve the President's options. He may need them.
Donald Rumsfeld

May, President, Options

Presidential leadership needn't always cost money. Look for low- and no-cost options. They can be surprisingly effective.
Donald Rumsfeld

Leadership, Money, Cost

Prune - prune businesses, products, activities, people. Do it annually.
Donald Rumsfeld

Activities, Businesses, Annually

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

American, Public, Paid

Reduce the number of lawyers. They are like beavers - they get in the middle of the stream and dam it up.
Donald Rumsfeld

Number, Middle, Lawyers

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Biography

Nationality: American

Type: Politician

Born: July 9, 1932

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