Be able to resign. It will improve your value to the President and do wonders for your performance.

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

First rule of politics: you can't win unless you're on the ballot. Second rule: If you run, you may lose. And, if you tie, you do not win.

Don't 'over-control' like a novice pilot. Stay loose enough from the flow that you can observe it, modify, and improve it.

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

You're thinking of Europe as Germany and France. I don't. I think that's old Europe. If you look at the entire NATO Europe today, the center of gravity is shifting to the east. And there are a lot of new members. And if you just take the list of all the members of NATO and all of those who have been invited in recently -- what is it? Twenty-six, something like that? -- you're right. Germany has been a problem, and France has been a problem.

Every president when he is elected has to live with the pluses and minuses his predecessor leaves, which includes benefits as well as burdens.