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.

Quote by Donald Rumsfeld

Topics: Money Quotes

One of your tasks is to separate the personal from the substantive. The two can...

One of your tasks is to separate the personal from the substantive. The two can...

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...

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

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

When you raise issues with the President, try to come away with both that decision...

When you raise issues with the President, try to come away with both that decision...

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

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

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...

The most underestimated risk for a politician is overexposure.

The most underestimated risk for a politician is overexposure.

I don't do quagmires.

I don't do quagmires.

Your performance depends on your people. Select the best, train them and back them. When...

Your performance depends on your people. Select the best, train them and back them. When...

Think ahead. Don't let day-to-day operations drive out planning.

Think ahead. Don't let day-to-day operations drive out planning.

Know that the amount of criticism you receive may correlate somewhat to the amount of...

Know that the amount of criticism you receive may correlate somewhat to the amount of...

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...

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...

If a prospective Presidential approach can't be explained clearly enough to be understood well, it...

If a prospective Presidential approach can't be explained clearly enough to be understood well, it...

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

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

See that the President, the Cabinet and staff are informed. If cut out of the...

See that the President, the Cabinet and staff are informed. If cut out of the...

Amidst all the clutter, beyond all the obstacles, aside from all the static, are the...

Amidst all the clutter, beyond all the obstacles, aside from all the static, are the...

By losing your goal, you have lost your way.

By losing your goal, you have lost your way.

Some men give up their designs when they have almost reached the goal; While others,...

Some men give up their designs when they have almost reached the goal; While others,...

We would accomplish many more things if we did not think of them as impossible

We would accomplish many more things if we did not think of them as impossible