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

Many people around the President have sizeable egos before entering government, some with good reason....

Many people around the President have sizeable egos before entering government, some with good reason....

Don't be a bottleneck. If a matter is not a decision for the President or...

Don't be a bottleneck. If a matter is not a decision for the President or...

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

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

With the press there is no off the record.

With the press there is no off the record.

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

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

Be precise. A lack of precision is dangerous when the margin of error is small.

Be precise. A lack of precision is dangerous when the margin of error is small.

Don't begin to think you're the President. You're not. The Constitution provides for only one.

Don't begin to think you're the President. You're not. The Constitution provides for only one.

Be yourself. Follow your instincts. Success depends, at least in part, on the ability to...

Be yourself. Follow your instincts. Success depends, at least in part, on the ability to...

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...

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...

Leave the President's family business to him. You will have plenty to do without trying...

Leave the President's family business to him. You will have plenty to do without trying...

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...

Presidential leadership needn't always cost money. Look for low- and no-cost options. They can be...

Presidential leadership needn't always cost money. Look for low- and no-cost options. They can be...

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

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

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...

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

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

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

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

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...

The price of being close to the President is delivering bad news. You fail him...

The price of being close to the President is delivering bad news. You fail him...

If you develop rules, never have more than ten.

If you develop rules, never have more than ten.