Quotes By Donald Rumsfeld

With the press there is no "off the record."

There are a lot of people who lie and get away with it, and that's just a fact.

Treat each federal dollar as if it was hard earned; it was - by a taxpayer.

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.

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.

If in doubt, don't. If still in doubt, do what's right.

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

Don't speak ill of your predecessors or successors. You didn't walk in their shoes.

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

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.

Don't necessarily avoid sharp edges. Occasionally they are necessary to leadership.

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

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.

When cutting staff at the Pentagon, don't eliminate the thin layer that assures civilian control.

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.

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

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

Remember where you came from.

In the execution of Presidential decisions work to be true to his views, in fact and tone.

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.

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

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

If you are not criticized, you may not be doing much.

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.

If you develop rules, never have more than ten.

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

I can't tell you if the use of force in Iraq today will last five days, five weeks or five months, but it won't last any longer than that.

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

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

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.