You will launch many projects, but have time to finish only a few. So think, plan, develop, launch and tap good people to be responsible. Give them authority and hold them accountable. Trying to do too much yourself creates a bottleneck.

It is hard to put a price on some things. What is the value of having prevented nuclear weapons from getting into the hands of a dictator like Saddam Hussein - or of Gadhafi?

General Boykin has requested that an inspector general review this matter. And I have indicated that if that's his request, I think it's appropriate.

Think ahead. Don't let day-to-day operations drive out planning.

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

The price of being close to the President is delivering bad news. You fail him if you don't tell him the truth. Others won't do it.

Don't say 'the White House wants.' Buildings can't want.