Quote by Donald Rumsfeld

First rule of politics: you can't win unless you're on the ballot. Second rule: If you run, you may lose. And, if you tie, you do not win.


First rule of politics: you can't win unless you're on the b

Summary

This quote emphasizes two fundamental rules of politics. Firstly, in order to achieve success, one must actively participate in the electoral process by running for office and getting their name on the ballot. Secondly, even after putting in the effort to run, there is always the risk of losing the election. Additionally, it highlights that in the event of a tie, one cannot claim victory but instead must continue striving to secure a clear win. The quote serves as a reminder that political success requires active engagement, acceptance of potential failure, and a determination to pursue victory despite challenging circumstances.

Topics

Politics
By Donald Rumsfeld
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Random Quotations

I got hold of a copy of the video that showed how Saddam Hussein had actually confirmed himself in power. This snuff-movie opens with a plenary session of the Ba'ath Party central committee: perhaps a hundred men. Suddenly the doors are locked and Saddam, in the chair, announces a special session. Into the room is dragged an obviously broken man, who begins to emit a robotic confession of treason and subversion, that he sobs has been instigated by Syrian and other agents. As the (literally) extorted confession unfolds, names begin to be named. Once a fellow-conspirator is identified, guards come to his seat and haul him from the room. The reclining Saddam, meanwhile, lights a large cigar and contentedly scans his dossiers. The sickness of fear in the room is such that men begin to crack up and weep, rising to their feet to shout hysterical praise, even love, for the leader. Inexorably, though, the cull continues, and faces and bodies go slack as their owners are pinioned and led away. When it is over, about half the committee members are left, moaning with relief and heaving with ardent love for the boss. (In an accompanying sequel, which I have not seen, they were apparently required to go into the yard outside and shoot the other half, thus sealing the pact with Saddam. I am not sure that even Beria or Himmler would have had the nerve and ingenuity and cruelty to come up with that.)

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