Don't Speak Ill Of Your

Don't Automatically Obey Presidential Directives If You Disagree Or If You Suspect He Hasn't Considered Key Aspects Of The Issue.

The Country Cannot Afford Amateur Hour In The White House.

When You Raise Issues With The President, Try To Come Away With Both That Decision And Also A Precedent. Pose Issues So As To Evoke Broader Policy Guidance. This Can Help To Answer A Range Of Similar Issues Likely To Arise Later.

Know That The Immediate Staff And Others In The Administration Will Assume That Your Manner, Tone And Tempo Reflect The President's.

In 2003, At The Time I Made My "old Europe" Comment, The Center Of Gravity In Nato And Europe Had Long Since Shifted To The East. With The Former Warsaw Pact Countries Joining Nato, The Alliance Has A Different Mix Today. Some People Were Sensitive About My Comment Because They Thought It Was A Pejorative Way Of Highlighting Demographic Realities. Apparently They Felt It Pointed A White Light At A Weakness In Europe - An Aging Population. Europe Has Come Some Distance Since World War Ii In Becoming Europe.