Home / Quotes / Quote by Donald Rumsfeld

Quote by Donald Rumsfeld

“Work continuously to trim the White House staff from your first day to your last. All the pressures are to the contrary.”

Quote by Donald Rumsfeld

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

Work

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

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. more

Author

Donald Rumsfeld

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. more

You May Also Like

“You're thinking of Europe as Germany and France. I don't. I think that's old Europe.”

Thinking Europe France Germany Nato Center Of Gravity

Author:Donald Rumsfeld

“Congress, the press, and the bureaucracy too often focus on how much money or effort is spent, rather than whether the money or effort actually achieves the announced goal.”

Politics Goal Effort Focus Achieve Presses Congress Bureaucracy Government Bureaucracy

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

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

“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.”

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

“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.”

Ifs Matter Problem Force President Decision Responsibility Areas Pressure Down And Structure Add Reverse Delegates Delegation Bottlenecks

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

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

“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.”

Looks Able President Gone Missing Observation Advisors

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

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

“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.”

People Knows Important Country Reason House Members Accidents Our Country Senate

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

“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.”

Ifs Should Firsts States Government Lasts Asks Responsibility Program Organization Locals Federal Government Resorts State Government

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

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

“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.”

Trying Firsts Helping President Fine Manage Plenty

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

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

“Many people around the President have sizeable egos before entering government, some with good reason. Their new positions will do little to moderate their egos.”

People Littles Reason Government President Position Ego Entering Moderates New Position

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

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