Any country on the face of the Earth with an active intelligence program knows that Iraq has weapons of mass destruction.

One of your tasks is to separate the 'personal' from the 'substantive.' The two can become confused, especially if someone rubs the President wrong.

Learn to say 'I don't know.' If used when appropriate, it will be often.

Within a week, or a month, Saddam could give his WMD to al-Qaeda.

Look for what's missing. Many advisors can tell a President how to improve what's proposed or what's gone amiss. Few are able to see what isn't there.

Amidst all the clutter, beyond all the obstacles, aside from all the static, are the goals set. Put your head down, do the best job possible, let the flak pass, and work towards those goals.

What will follow will not be a repeat of any other conflict. It will be of a force and scope and scale that has been beyond what has been seen before.