We're not running out of [fixed] targets. Afghanistan is.

... something under $50 billion for the cost. How much of that would be the U.S. burden, and how much would be other countries, is an open question.

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

Listening to both sides does not necessarily bring about a correct judgment.

There are a lot of things that are said by people in the military, or civilian life, or in the Congress, or in the Executive Branch, that are their views. And that's the way we live. We're a free people. And that's the wonderful thing about our country.

I think we ought to have a new rule: You can ask two questions, and then we can pick the one we want to answer.

Test ideas in the marketplace. You learn from hearing a range of perspectives. Consultation helps engender the support decisions need to be successfully implemented.