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.

Quote by Donald Rumsfeld

Topics: Politics Quotes, Rules Quotes

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

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

Let your family, staff, and friends know that you're still the same person, despite all...

Let your family, staff, and friends know that you're still the same person, despite all...

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...

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...

The Federal Government should be the last resort, not the first. Ask if a potential...

The Federal Government should be the last resort, not the first. Ask if a potential...

I don't do quagmires.

I don't do quagmires.

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...

Politics is human beings; it's addition rather than subtraction.

Politics is human beings; it's addition rather than subtraction.

Congress, the press, and the bureaucracy too often focus on how much money or effort...

Congress, the press, and the bureaucracy too often focus on how much money or effort...

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...

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...

You're thinking of Eurpoe as Germany and France. I don't. I think that's old Europe.

You're thinking of Eurpoe as Germany and France. I don't. I think that's old Europe.

If the staff lacks policy guidance against which to test decisions, their decisions will be...

If the staff lacks policy guidance against which to test decisions, their decisions will be...

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...

Members of the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate are not there by accident. Each...

Members of the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate are not there by accident. Each...

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...

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...

Reduce the number of lawyers. They are like beavers - they get in the middle...

Reduce the number of lawyers. They are like beavers - they get in the middle...

I know you lawyers can, with ease, twist words and meanings as you please

I know you lawyers can, with ease, twist words and meanings as you please

A lawyer's primer: If you don't have the law, you argue the facts; if you...

A lawyer's primer: If you don't have the law, you argue the facts; if you...