Amidst all the clutter, beyond all the obstacles, aside from all the static, are the goals set. Put your head down, do the best job possible, let the flak pass, and work towards those goals.

Quote by Donald Rumsfeld

Topics: Ideas Quotes

With the press there is no off the record.

With the press there is no off the record.

First rule of politics: you can't win unless you're on the ballot. Second rule: If...

First rule of politics: you can't win unless you're on the ballot. Second rule: If...

I don't do quagmires.

I don't do quagmires.

Don't automatically obey Presidential directives if you disagree or if you suspect he hasn't considered...

Don't automatically obey Presidential directives if you disagree or if you suspect he hasn't considered...

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

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

Death has a tendency to encourage a depressing view of war.

Death has a tendency to encourage a depressing view of war.

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

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

Work continuously to trim the White House staff from your first day to your last....

Work continuously to trim the White House staff from your first day to your last....

Test ideas in the marketplace. You learn from hearing a range of perspectives. Consultation helps...

Test ideas in the marketplace. You learn from hearing a range of perspectives. Consultation helps...

Don't think of yourself as indispensable or infallible. As Charles De Gaulle said, the cemeteries...

Don't think of yourself as indispensable or infallible. As Charles De Gaulle said, the cemeteries...

Remember where you came from.

Remember where you came from.

If in doubt, move decisions up to the President.

If in doubt, move decisions up to the President.

Visit with your predecessors from previous Administrations. They know the ropes and can help you...

Visit with your predecessors from previous Administrations. They know the ropes and can help you...

The most underestimated risk for a politician is overexposure.

The most underestimated risk for a politician is overexposure.

I can't tell you if the use of force in Iraq today will last five...

I can't tell you if the use of force in Iraq today will last five...

It isn't making mistakes that's critical; it's correcting them and getting on with the principal...

It isn't making mistakes that's critical; it's correcting them and getting on with the principal...

Reduce the layers of management. They put distance between the top of an organization and...

Reduce the layers of management. They put distance between the top of an organization and...

Strive to make proposed solutions as self-executing as possible. As the degree of discretion increases,...

Strive to make proposed solutions as self-executing as possible. As the degree of discretion increases,...

Most managers were trained to be the thing they most despise -- bureaucrats.

Most managers were trained to be the thing they most despise -- bureaucrats.

The only thing that saves us from the bureaucracy is its inefficiency.

The only thing that saves us from the bureaucracy is its inefficiency.

Congress: Bingo with billions

Congress: Bingo with billions

What is not started today is never finished tomorrow.

What is not started today is never finished tomorrow.

I think the person who takes a job in order to live - that is...

I think the person who takes a job in order to live - that is...

The school is that last expenditure upon which Americans should be willing to economize

The school is that last expenditure upon which Americans should be willing to economize