Home / Authors / Donald Rumsfeld

Donald Rumsfeld

Donald Rumsfeld Quotes

Former U.S. Secretary of Defense

Donald Rumsfeld is a prominent American politician who served as the United States Secretary of Defense twice. Born on July 9, 1932, Rumsfeld has extensive experience in political and military affairs, leading key national security and defense policies.

Filter quotes by topic

All Ifs People President Iraq Knows Country War Thinking May Weapons World Wells Decision Weapons Of Mass Destruction Want Destruction Mass Destruction Trying Helping Looks

Famous Donald Rumsfeld Quotes

“In unanimity there may well be either cowardice or uncritical thinking.”

Thinking Wells May Cowardice Critical Thinking Unanimity

Author:Donald Rumsfeld

“[on Osama bin Laden] He is either alive and well or alive and not too well or not alive.”

Wells Alive Bin Laden Osama Bin Laden

Author:Donald Rumsfeld

“Every president when he is elected has to live with the pluses and minuses his predecessor leaves, which includes benefits as well as burdens.”

Wells President Benefits Burden Predecessors

Author:Donald Rumsfeld

“It is worth reminding that being president is a tough job for anybody, and particularly so in the information age. There's such a glut of information. Anything a president says or does is picked up on the Internet or the 24/7 news media and criticized almost instantly. Leaders persuade through their words and as such their words need to be measured and well chosen. It is a tough job.”

Needs Wells Doe Age Jobs President Leader Media Information Internet News Tough Chosen Reminding Information Age News Media

Author:Donald Rumsfeld

“If a person is determined to fight to the death, then they may very well have that opportunity.”

Ifs Wells May Persons Fighting Opportunity Determined

Author:Donald Rumsfeld

“Well, so be it. Nothing's perfect in life, so you have an election that's not quite perfect. Is it better than not having an election? You bet.”

Wells Perfect Election

Author:Donald Rumsfeld

“Enjoy your time in public service. It may well be one of the most interesting and challenging times of your life.”

Wells May Enjoy Challenges Interesting Most Interesting Public Service Time Of Your Life Interesting Times Challenging Times

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

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.”

People Ifs Inspirational Wells Enough Funny Perspective Approach Understood Presidential Sail Sailing

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

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.”

Wells May Steps Path Clear Plans Achieve Objectives Backwards Intuitive

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

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

People Wells Paid Servant Public Servants

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

“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.”

People Want Trying Wells Happens Weapons Mass Gun Tasks Destruction Smoking Weapons Of Mass Destruction Mass Destruction Dots

Author:Donald Rumsfeld

“We'll have to deal with the networks. One of the ways to do that is to drain the swamp they live in. And that means dealing not only with the terrorists, but those who harbor terrorists. This will take a long, sustained effort. It will require the support of the American people as well as our friends and allies around the world.”

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

“The way to do well is to do well.”

Book:Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

Source: Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001

About the Author

Born: July 9, 1932
Known for: Former U.S. Secretary of Defense
Quotes: 224

Related Topics

Ifs People President Iraq Knows Country War Thinking May Weapons World Wells Decision Weapons Of Mass Destruction Want Destruction Mass Destruction Trying Helping Looks

Popular Topics

People Ifs Thinking Knows Men World Way Want Love Life Inspirational Needs Giving Feels Should Writing Trying Years Mind Firsts

Books & Sources

Public Statements of Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, 2001Related source material

Known and Unknown: A MemoirRelated source material

The World According to RummyRelated source material

Known and UnknownRelated source material

Rumsfeld's Rules: Leadership Lessons in Business, Politics, War, and LifeRelated source material

Similar Authors

Ari FleischerBrowse related quotes
Bob GrahamBrowse related quotes
Sandy BergerBrowse related quotes
John F. KerryBrowse related quotes
Tony BlairBrowse related quotes
Colin PowellBrowse related quotes
Laurence SilbermanBrowse related quotes
Dick CheneyBrowse related quotes
Scott RitterBrowse related quotes
Richard ArmitageBrowse related quotes