Quotes About Leadership

At the start of first terms, presidents invariably have a measure of goodwill.

When the going gets tough in Washington, presidents appoint 'blue ribbon' commissions.

Americans almost never elect presidents on the basis of foreign policy.

Presidents get to decide how their intelligence is served up to them, and it's the job of intelligence to adjust.

The job of the president of the United States is to talk to the public, is to explain to them. Now, some presidents talk too much, like Bill Clinton. Some presidents try to talk but don't know how, like George Bush senior.

The Cold War is over. The kind of authority that the presidents asserted during the Cold War has now been diminished.

Botswana had three successive good presidents who served their legal terms, who did well for their countries - three, not one.

Presidents can be judged by the company they choose to keep.

I have been chastised by a president, I have antagonized and angered presidents, and I have taken on my own leadership.

We have at least learned that the offspring of presidents don't necessarily make good politicians themselves.

Occasionally, you see presidents come in and provide a clear change in direction of leadership.

There's never been an entertainer that can take two warring parties and have both presidents stand on the stage and hold hands.

Presidents have to learn how to adapt. Every president comes into the job; it's different than they expect. They must adapt.

I've always given presidents the benefit of the doubt on their nominees.

American presidents get to make lots of choices, with one critical exception: what awaits them in the in-box on top of the desk in the Oval Office.

Too few presidents have steeped themselves not just in Lincoln's words but his deeds, which is why Obama's acquaintance with the great man is so compelling - especially since, like President-elect Lincoln, Obama will take office at a perilous time.

Presidents and cabinet officials could send a strong message of accountability if they held senior appointees responsible for their performance.

Presidents have an impact on the nature of our nation.

Calvin Coolidge was one of the best presidents. Why? Because he did absolutely nothing.

Frankly, Christians have not always made good presidents.

I've had presidents in my lifetime - and I'm old enough to have seen several - that I really detested, but they're still my president. I've had presidents that I've really liked.

America can change its presidents, but the world doesn't change.

I'm of the minority opinion that presidents should be given more power for less time.

I think different presidents have different ways of governing. We just have to respect that.