Since the first shot was fired by someone outside the White House, is it clear that the President will even need to jettison anyone?

Recall that his original vision for GTMO and for reversing torture policies was to close the book on the past and move forward. I’ll wager that he handles this kerfuffle the same way, and that it’ll be a while before resignations are called for. This President is known for accepting criticism gracefully, and for his insistence that the focus remain not on Beltway politics-as-usual, but where it needs to be — on the issues. I believe his first move will be to voice his opinion that White House spats are just as irrelevant as squabbles on the Hill.

Of course, it’s best to keep the staff on board until they strike out — as in, 3 strikes and you’re out. Further, the President appreciates the “team of rivals” approach. It’s the resignation itself that really loosens tongues.

Of course, if it’s All in the Family that the President is looking for, then Rahm Emanuel is certainly the White House’s Archie Bunker, being of no disposition to take his own favorite advice to “Stifle yerself!” If he turns out to be a loudmouth, or, like Kanye West, makes himself “a jackass,” he’ll be the first to be dumped.

Matt, since you have read more White House tell-alls than the average observer, can you suggest how, in practice, this kind of staff infighting is aired before a President? Someone will have to show him Milbank’s column, and in this case, it won’t be the chief of staff. Press Secretary Gibbs, then?