The United States isn't going to do anything that it's not capable of doing. And if we do something, we'll be capable of doing it.

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

When asked for your views, by the press or others, remember that what they really want to know is the President's views.

Don't automatically obey Presidential directives if you disagree or if you suspect he hasn't considered key aspects of the issue.

The absence of evidence is not necessarily the evidence of absence

From where you sit, the White House may look as untidy as the inside of a stomach. As is said of the legislative process, sausage-making and policy-making shouldn't be seen close-up. Don't let that panic you. Things may be going better than they look from the inside.

We never believed that we'd just tumble over weapons of mass destruction in that country.