Michele Bachmann Quotes

Eisenhower had run the Army; he knew all the ways decision making can go off the rails, and insisted on collective debate precisely to prevent senior officials from freelancing, or putting their departmental interests first. For all the formal machinery, Eisenhower was very literally the commander in chief, making the key decisions himself and monitoring closely how they were carried out. Even years after D-Day, when critics needled him for not being on the front lines with the invading forces, he retorted, “I planned it and took responsibility for it. Did you want me to unload a truck?

As a commander-in-chief what you do and what you say has real consequences.

I am fully prepared to be commander in chief... I don't need on-the-job training.

One mediocre general is better than two good ones.

I'm really more of an executive.

When I was working in the Pentagon, I had to own the recommendations I made up the chain of command.

I'm the President and the Commander-in-Chief. Do it my way.

Management is always part of the equation of making the company successful, so the quality of management always matters.

Commanders-in-chief make really tough decisions.

I have never been afraid of being in charge, whether I have been coach, manager or caretaker.

I've been mayor for five years. I've led a city. And directed a police department. I know how to use resources.

No 10 is the job I want: in the middle of things, moving the ball forward.

It's extremely instructive to realize that you cannot do everything. You need to delegate, to find experts, to consult with them. A big part of the job of directing is knowing when to take something on and when you shouldn't.

You've got to demonstrate you're capable of developing policies but, more importantly, you're capable of implementing them.

Sometimes, I forget that I am director.

I shall claim full amends for every fall and stubbed toe, if you do not lead us well.

Anyone who has actually had to take responsibility for consequences by running any kind of enterprise whether economic or academic, or even just managing a sports team is likely at some point to be chastened by either the setbacks brought on by his own mistakes or by seeing his successes followed by negative consequences that he never anticipated.

Much of command is the ability to take command.

On a good day, I view the job [of president] as directing an orchestra. On the dark days, it is more like that of a clutch -- engaging the engine to effect forward motion, while taking greater friction.

There is no necessary connection between the desire to lead and the ability to lead, and even less the ability to lead somewhere that will be to the advantage of the led.

Management means, in the last analysis, the substitution of thought for brawn and muscle, of knowledge for folkways and superstition, and of cooperation for force. It means the substitution of responsibility for obedience to rank, and of authority of performance for the authority of rank.

As president, I wouldn't be making the day-to-day combat decisions. The job of the commander-in-chief is to lay the objective out and then you rely upon the generals and admirals and commanders to give you their expert advice on the tools needed to carry out that objective.

The Republic can count on me to battle its enemies... Offensive war suits the passionate character of the French, but it is the responsibility of the man in charge of leading them to prepare with caution and wisdom everything that leads to victory.

There is a great Field-Marshal, my friend, who arrays our battalions; Let us to Providence trust, and abide and work in our stations.

I think it's one thing to be part of a very important group called the Senate of the United States and cast a vote. You're one of 100. I think it says even more to be a governor, where you ultimately have that political responsibility and accountability to succeed.