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Quote by Donald Rumsfeld

“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.”

Quote by Donald Rumsfeld

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

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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.”

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

“Secretary Powell and I agree on every single issue that has ever been before this administration except for those instances where Colin's still learning.”

Stills Issues Agree Instance Administration Agreement Secretary

Book:The World According to Rummy

Source: The World According to Rummy

“See that the President, the Cabinet and staff are informed. If cut out of the information flow, their decisions may be poor, not made, or not confidently or persuasively implemented.”

Ifs May Made President Decision Poor Cutting Information Flow Staff Cabinets Information Flow

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

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

“Test ideas in the marketplace. You learn from hearing a range of perspectives. Consultation helps engender the support decisions need to be successfully implemented.”

Needs Ideas Helping Decision Support Perspective Tests Hearing Range Marketplace Consultation

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

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

“The Secretary of Defense is not a super General or Admiral. His task is to exercise civilian control over the Department for the Commander-in-Chief and the country.”

Country Exercise Tasks Defense Chiefs Department Secretary Civilians Commanders Commander In Chief Admiral

Author:Donald Rumsfeld

“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.”

Knows Trying Helping Mistake Originals Corners Administration Rope Predecessors

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

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

“When you raise issues with the President, try to come away with both that decision and also a precedent. Pose issues so as to evoke broader policy guidance. This can help to answer a range of similar issues likely to arise later.”

Trying Helping President Decision Answers Issues Policy Raises Arise Range Guidance Evoke Precedent

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

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

“There are some things that we know are just not as pleasant as the lies that we tell ourselves, and in that sense in order to endure existence everyone endures a certain amount of dishonesty in their everyday lives.”

Knows Lying Certain Order Existence Amount Endure Everyday Pleasant Deceit Everyday Life Dishonesty

Author:Todd Rundgren