There are a lot of things that are said by people in the military, or civilian life, or in the Congress, or in the Executive Branch, that are their views. And that's the way we live. We're a free people. And that's the wonderful thing about our country.

Keep your sense of humor. As General Joe Stillwell said, 'The higher a monkey climbs, the more you see of his behind'.

Look for what's missing. Many advisors can tell a President how to improve what's proposed or what's gone amiss. Few are able to see what isn't there.

Don't speak ill of your predecessors or successors. You didn't walk in their shoes.

If the staff lacks policy guidance against which to test decisions, their decisions will be random.

No. That's someone else's business. Quagmire is - I don't do quagmires.

Learn to say 'I don't know.' If used when appropriate, it will be often.