After the German abstention at the UN, Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle commented that Germany doesn't always have to stand on the side of its traditional allies. Berlin can look for new partners all over the world.

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

The country cannot afford amateur hour in the White House.

In 2003, at the time I made my "Old Europe" comment, the center of gravity in NATO and Europe had long since shifted to the East. With the former Warsaw Pact countries joining NATO, the alliance has a different mix today. Some people were sensitive about my comment because they thought it was a pejorative way of highlighting demographic realities. Apparently they felt it pointed a white light at a weakness in Europe - an aging population. Europe has come some distance since World War II in becoming Europe.

When asked for your views, by the press or others, remember that what they really want to know is the President's views.

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.

One of your tasks is to separate the 'personal' from the 'substantive.' The two can become confused, especially if someone rubs the President wrong.