In such meetings, said John Burke, a University of Vermont political scientist who has written extensively on transitions, a president-elect can gauge which priorities can profitably be pursued in Congress early on, which helps him shape an agenda. You have to pare that down. I have many memories of things done and not done that seem strange later. But when people are working long days, not getting enough food, or sleep or exercise and people are always waiting outside for the appointment . . . in those conditions the obvious is not always obvious. Those individuals, said Meese, should fill out the detailed security questionnaire and get their financial information in order so that background checks can begin as soon as the election is resolved.
Education is an example.
In other words, develop the kind of environment in which the president likes to work. But Gearan and others said this was not necessarily a calamity. It's been tested many times. The Daily Camera. All rights reserved.