Don't just count your days, make your days count.

Once the information is in the 40 to 70 range, go with your gut.

Always be looking for the opportunities, and always be optimistic about what you can do with that opportunity.

I would sit and talk to any president who wishes to talk to me, but I'm not anxious to rule it in.

I'm going to be bringing people into the public diplomacy function of the department who are going to change from just selling us in the old USIA way to really branding foreign policy, branding the department, marketing the department, marketing American values to the world and not just putting out pamphlets.

Don't let your ego get too close to your position, so that if your position gets shot down, your ego doesn't go with it.

The United States has every intention of continuing to do the kind of reconnaissance and surveillance work we have done for decades, well known to everyone, that is essential to protect our national security, and frankly, the security of our friends in various regions of the world. It is part of our collection system.