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?

Don't think of yourself as indispensable or infallible. As Charles De Gaulle said, the cemeteries of the world are full of indispensable men.

Make decisions about the President's personal security. He can overrule you, but don't ask him to be the one to counsel caution.

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.

I don't know anybody that I can think of who has contended that the Iraqis had nuclear weapons.

Public servants are paid to serve the American people. Do it well.

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