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

The way to do well is to do well.

Don't automatically obey Presidential directives if you disagree or if you suspect he hasn't considered key aspects of the issue.

There are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns - the ones we don't know we don't know.

We do have a saying in America: if you're in a hole, stop digging ..... erm, I'm not sure I should have said that.

Most of the 50 or so invitations you receive each week come from people inviting the President's Chief of Staff, not you. If you doubt that, ask your predecessor how many he received last week.

The implication that there was something wrong with the war plan is amusing.