Reduce the number of lawyers. They are like beavers - they get in the middle of the stream and dam it up.

I recognize the need to provide the press - and, through you, the American people - with information to the fullest extent possible. In our democracy, the work of the Pentagon press corps is important, defending our freedom and way of life is what this conflict is about, and that certainly includes freedom of the press.

Success tends to go not to the person who is error-free, because he also tends to be risk-averse. Rather it goes to the person who recognizes that life is pretty much a percentage business. It isn't making mistakes that's critical; it's correcting them and getting on with the principal task.

If you foul up, tell the President and correct it fast. Delay only compounds mistakes.

Never assume the other fellow will not do something you wouldn't do.

I think we ought to have a new rule: You can ask two questions, and then we can pick the one we want to answer.

If you are working from your inbox, you are working on other people’s priorities.