We will give to the head of transition for the president-elect this key. But there is, of course, no one to give the key to. For example, Stephen Preston, general counsel to the Navy, is going back to his old law firm. He will have to be replaced, along with all the others. But it takes time for the FBI to check newcomers' backgrounds, and time for the Senate to approve the most important 600 names so they can get to work in the top agency jobs.
Every day counts.
Every day right now is equal to a week next year. Light estimates about 3,000 positions must be filled by the new administration. If he hasn't had staff cleared on Inauguration Day, he is really crippled. Gray worries that mistakes may be made in the rush to appoint people. Al Gore has the luxury of being able to ask some Clinton appointees to stay on, but he still has little time to waste.