What’s the eggshell-walking alternative to wielding Donald Trump’s favorite line?

The answer is asking for a “voluntary” resignation by someone who is perceived as not doing their job, as opposed to handing them an empty cardboard box and telling them that they have until 4 o’clock to gather their paperweights and family photos.

Gavin Newsom, local mayor and connoisseur of the finer things that come with the job, asked on Tuesday that all city department heads and everyone he’s appointed to a commission or board position turn in their quitting papers.

The idea is that when Newsom’s first term ends on Jan. 7, 2008 – the day any such resignations will take effect – he’ll be able to kick start his second term with a brand new crew of go-getters that doesn’t make him look so bad.

It’s as if the mayor is sloughing off the deadweight middle management that has marred his administration by failing to combat an out of control murder rate and a horribly ineffective city transit system, among other local hot-button issues.

While this sweeping request is nothing shocking in the world of politics, it is a sobering moment for many of his supporters, as it does not specify or spare anyone in particular. The idea behind Newsom wanting voluntary letters of resignation by this upcoming Friday is to shift the perception from “firing” to “letting workers go.” Instead of kicking anyone out, he is hoping that his not-so-ardent supporters will walk away.

Newsom’s request is all about kicking out select political enemies without the literal image of a boot in their asses.

Newsom, however, does not intend to actually accept all the letters. He is asking for these letters so that he can be a tad nicer in his firings. How compassionate.

Essentially Newsom is saying he will be willing to accept resignations from the staff in question, but that they must be ready to come back for four more years of hard, obviously appreciated work in City Hall – if they’re still friends.

This is one more example of what often seems to be Newsom’s disgust with his own job, and his discomfort in his leadership role.

Quite the morale boost for those individuals that Newsom had the confidence to appoint to city positions in the first place. But above all else, asking your employees to be ready to walk away from their jobs, and be equally ready to walk back into their offices, if so needed, is not a responsible way to clean house.

Anyone with Newsom’s responsibilities will inevitably have some specific city employees that he hopes will get the hint and walk away from City Hall, with a minimum of vitriol. But asking hundreds of people to be ready to hit the employment section of the classifieds by next January, all to avoid the theatrics of firing a select few, is an inconsiderate and unfair way of saving face.