Book detail: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001 is presented as a focused source page for quotations connected with this book, collection, transcript, or source record.
The volume includes a collection of speeches, interviews, and press conferences delivered by Donald H. Rumsfeld, offering insights into his perspectives and policies as the Secretary of Defense during a significant period in American history.
The quotes below use the same card format as the rest of the site, including topics, source notes, copy actions, image creation, and sharing controls.
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“Beware when any idea is promoted primarily because it is "bold, exciting, innovative, and new." There are many ideas that are "bold, exciting, innovative and new," but also foolish.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“I think we ought to have a new rule: You can ask two questions, and then we can pick the one we want to answer.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“When you're skiing, if you're not falling you're not trying.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“Sausage making and policy-making shouldn't be seen close-up.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“The country cannot afford amateur hour in the White House.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“Being Vice President is difficult. Don't make it tougher.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“Control your time. If you're working off your in-box, you're working off the priorities of others. Be sure the staff is working on what you move to them from the President, or the President will be reacting, not leading.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“Don't accept the post or stay unless you have an understanding with the President that you're free to tell him what you think "with the bark off" and you have the courage to do it.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“From where you sit, the White House may look as untidy as the inside of a stomach. As is said of the legislative process, sausage-making and policy-making shouldn't be seen close-up. Don't let that panic you. Things may be going better than they look from the inside.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“Have a deputy and develop a successor. Don't be consumed by the job or you'll risk losing your balance. Keep your mooring lines to the outside world - family, friends, neighbors, people out of government, and people who may not agree with you.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“It is very difficult to spend "federal (the taxpayers') dollars" so that the intended result is achieved.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“Know that the immediate staff and others in the Administration will assume that your manner, tone and tempo reflect the President's.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“Move decisions out to the Cabinet and agencies. Strengthen them by moving responsibility, authority, and accountability their direction.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“Napoleon was asked, "Who do you consider to be the greatest generals?" He responded saying, "The victors.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“Strive to make proposed solutions as self-executing as possible. As the degree of discretion increases, so too does bureaucracy, delay, and expense.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“Walk around. If you are invisible, the mystique of the President's office may perpetuate inaccurate impressions about you or the President, to his detriment. After all, you may not be as bad as they're saying.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“Watch the growth of middle level management. Don't automatically fill vacant jobs. Leave some positions unfilled for 6-8 months to see what happens. You will find you won't need to fill some of them.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“When someone with a rural accent says, "I don't know much about politics," zip up your pockets.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“If you try to please everybody, somebody's not going to like it.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“You will launch many projects, but have time to finish only a few. So think, plan, develop, launch and tap good people to be responsible. Give them authority and hold them accountable. Trying to do too much yourself creates a bottleneck.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“Enjoy your time in public service. It may well be one of the most interesting and challenging times of your life.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“Don't speak ill of your predecessors or successors. You didn't walk in their shoes.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“Don't blame the boss. He has enough problems.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“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.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“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.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“Think ahead. Don't let day-to-day operations drive out planning.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“Arguments of convenience lack integrity and inevitably trip you up.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“Be yourself. Follow your instincts. Success depends, at least in part, on the ability to 'carry it off.'”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“Be precise. A lack of precision is dangerous when the margin of error is small.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“Don't necessarily avoid sharp edges. Occasionally they are necessary to leadership.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“Don't think of yourself as indispensable or infallible. As Charles De Gaulle said, the cemeteries of the world are full of indispensable men.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“Amidst all the clutter, beyond all the obstacles, aside from all the static, are the goals set. Put your head down, do the best job possible, let the flak pass, and work towards those goals.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“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.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“Don't say 'the White House wants.' Buildings can't want.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“In the execution of Presidential decisions work to be true to his views, in fact and tone.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“Know that the amount of criticism you receive may correlate somewhat to the amount of publicity you receive.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“Let your family, staff, and friends know that you're still the same person, despite all the publicity and notoriety that accompanies your position.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“When asked for your views, by the press or others, remember that what they really want to know is the President's views.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“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.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“Plan backwards as well as forward. Set objectives and trace back to see how to achieve them. You may find that no path can get you there. Plan forward to see where your steps will take you, which may not be clear or intuitive.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“Be able to resign. It will improve your value to the President and do wonders for your performance.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“Don't automatically obey Presidential directives if you disagree or if you suspect he hasn't considered key aspects of the issue.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“Don't do or say things you would not like to see on the front page of The Washington Post.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“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.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“If the staff lacks policy guidance against which to test decisions, their decisions will be random.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“If you foul up, tell the President and correct it fast. Delay only compounds mistakes.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“In politics, every day is filled with numerous opportunities for serious error. Enjoy it.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“Make decisions about the President's personal security. He can overrule you, but don't ask him to be the one to counsel caution.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“One of your tasks is to separate the 'personal' from the 'substantive.' The two can become confused, especially if someone rubs the President wrong.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001
“Preserve the President's options. He may need them.”
Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001