The Federal Government should be the last resort, not the first. Ask if a potential program is truly a federal responsibility or whether it can better be handled privately, by voluntary organizations, or by local or state governments.

When I served as US Ambassador to NATO in the 1970s, the center of gravity in Europe was France and Germany.

When cutting staff at the Pentagon, don't eliminate the thin layer that assures civilian control.

Now, settle down, settle down. Hell, I'm an old man, it's early in the morning and I'm gathering my thoughts here.

When someone with a rural accent says, "I don't know much about politics," zip up your pockets.

I'm glad you asked. It has nothing to do with oil, literally nothing to do with oil.

I can't tell you if the use of force in Iraq today will last five days, five weeks or five months, but it won't last any longer than that.