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

Quote by Donald Rumsfeld

Topics: Politics Quotes

If in doubt, move decisions up to the President.

If in doubt, move decisions up to the President.

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...

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.

Public servants are paid to serve the American people. Do it well.

Public servants are paid to serve the American people. Do it well.

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...

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...

Don't do or say things you would not like to see on the front page...

Don't do or say things you would not like to see on the front page...

Preserve the President's options. He may need them.

Preserve the President's options. He may need them.

Prune - prune businesses, products, activities, people. Do it annually.

Prune - prune businesses, products, activities, people. Do it annually.

If you develop rules, never have more than ten.

If you develop rules, never have more than ten.

Preserve the President's options. He may need them.

Preserve the President's options. He may need them.

You will launch many projects, but have time to finish only a few. So think,...

You will launch many projects, but have time to finish only a few. So think,...

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

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

If you are not criticized, you may not be doing much.

If you are not criticized, you may not be doing much.

Don't divide the world into hem and us. Avoid infatuation with or resentment of the...

Don't divide the world into hem and us. Avoid infatuation with or resentment of the...

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 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...

Be able to resign. It will improve your value to the President and do wonders...

Be able to resign. It will improve your value to the President and do wonders...

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...

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...