Look at me! I'm sweet and lovable! Donald Rumsfeld More Quotes by Donald Rumsfeld More Quotes From Donald Rumsfeld Don't 'over-control' like a novice pilot. Stay loose enough from the flow that you can observe it, modify, and improve it. Donald Rumsfeld novicespilotsflow Most of the 50 or so invitations you receive each week come from people inviting the President's Chief of Staff, not you. If you doubt that, ask your predecessor how many he received last week. Donald Rumsfeld presidentdoubtpeople When you're skiing, if you're not falling you're not trying. Donald Rumsfeld skiingtryingfall I think it's very useful for you folks (reporters) to try your damndest to be precise. And don't repeat things that are inaccurate if you can possibly avoid it. And when you see things that are inaccurate, knock them down -- because there's a bucket of it floating around. Donald Rumsfeld bucketstryingthinking If a person is determined to fight to the death, then they may very well have that opportunity. Donald Rumsfeld fightingmayopportunity The success of an organization will depend on the people you surround yourself with. Donald Rumsfeld surround-yourselforganizationpeople 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. Donald Rumsfeld electionwellsperfect An institution that...would permit Iraq, a terrorist state that refuses to disarm, to become soon the chair of the United Nations Commission on Disarmament, and which recently elected Libya - a terrorist state - to chair the United Nations Commission on Human Rights of all things, seems not to be even struggling to regain credibility. That these acts of irresponsibility could happen now, at this moment in history, is breathtaking. Donald Rumsfeld strugglerightswar Sausage making and policy-making shouldn't be seen close-up. Donald Rumsfeld policy-makingpolicysausage The worst mistake is to have the best ladder and the wrong wall. Donald Rumsfeld ladderswallmistake I recognize the need to provide the press - and, through you, the American people - with information to the fullest extent possible. In our democracy, the work of the Pentagon press corps is important, defending our freedom and way of life is what this conflict is about, and that certainly includes freedom of the press. Donald Rumsfeld democracyimportantpeople One thing appears reasonably certain, and that's that those who make allegations of a culture of deception, of intimidation or cover-up need to be extremely careful about such accusations. Donald Rumsfeld deceptioncultureneeds There are things that we know, and there are things that we don't know. Then there are the things that we don't even know that we don't know. Those are the things that are the hardest. Donald Rumsfeld hardestknows We have an orientation that tends to make us think that everything is our responsibility and that we should be doing this. It is the Iraqis' country, 28 million of them. They are perfectly capable of running that country. Donald Rumsfeld responsibilityrunningcountry 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. Donald Rumsfeld egogovernmentpeople 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. Donald Rumsfeld issuesadministrationagreement 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. Donald Rumsfeld information-flowcuttingdecision 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. Donald Rumsfeld tasksexercisecountry 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. Donald Rumsfeld administrationmistaketrying 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. Donald Rumsfeld issuesdecisiontrying
