Donald Rumsfeld Quotes
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Simply stated, there is no doubt that Saddam Hussein now has weapons of mass destruction.
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It is the photographs that gives one the vivid realization of what actually took place. (On photographs from Abu Ghraib prison.)
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Enjoy your time in public service. It may well be one of the most interesting and challenging times of your life.
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Most of the 50 or so invitations you receive each week come from people inviting the President's Chief of Staff, not you. If you doubt that, ask your predecessor how many he received last week.
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Don't automatically obey Presidential directives if you disagree or if you suspect he hasn't considered key aspects of the issue.
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You go to war with the army you have, not the army you might want or wish to have at a later time.
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Visit with your predecessors from previous Administrations. They know the ropes and can help you see around some corners. Try to make original mistakes, rather than needlessly repeating theirs.
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Most US presidents since World War II have led military actions without a declaration of war by Congress, though most, if not all, have properly consulted and sought support from Congress. That is the wise thing to do.
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When you raise issues with the President, try to come away with both that decision and also a precedent. Pose issues so as to evoke broader policy guidance. This can help to answer a range of similar issues likely to arise later.
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Within a week, or a month, Saddam could give his WMD to al-Qaeda.
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Secretary Powell and I agree on every single issue that has ever been before this administration except for those instances where Colin's still learning.
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... something under $50 billion for the cost. How much of that would be the U.S. burden, and how much would be other countries, is an open question.
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The United States, as all you know, did not come to Iraq for oil, not to occupy. We came here only to help.
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I stand for 8-10 hours a day. Why is standing limited to four hours?
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I don't do quagmires.
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What is needed [to combat terrorism], in my view, is resolve, not retreat; courage, not concession. Rather than thinking in terms of an exit strategy, focus on a strategy for success.
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Preserve the President's options. He may need them.
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Many people around the President have sizeable egos before entering government, some with good reason. Their new positions will do little to moderate their egos.
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[on Osama bin Laden] He is either alive and well or alive and not too well or not alive.
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We'll have to deal with the networks. One of the ways to do that is to drain the swamp they live in. And that means dealing not only with the terrorists, but those who harbor terrorists. This will take a long, sustained effort. It will require the support of the American people as well as our friends and allies around the world.
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Look at me! I'm sweet and lovable!
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It is easier to get into something than to get out of it.
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Your performance depends on your people. Select the best, train them and back them. When errors occur, give sharper guidance. If errors persist or if the fit feels wrong, help them move on. The country cannot afford amateur hour in the White House.
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Know that the amount of criticism you receive may correlate somewhat to the amount of publicity you receive.
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If in doubt, move decisions up to the President.
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Don't think of yourself as indispensable or infallible. As Charles De Gaulle said, the cemeteries of the world are full of indispensable men.
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I don't believe anyone that I know in the administration ever said that Iraq had nuclear weapons.
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To gain support in U.S. Congress and from other nations requires clarity, an acceptable mission and an explicit outcome.
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In our system leadership is by consent, not command. To lead a President must persuade. Personal contacts and experiences help shape his thinking. They can be critical to his persuasiveness and thus to his leadership.
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I am not going to give you a number for it because it's not my business to do intelligent work.
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