The Transition and the Nukes

What will be the most secretive part of the upcoming presidential transition? William M. Arkin describes it on his "Early Warning" blog at Washingtonpost.com: Giving the new president access to the "go codes" for launching a nuclear attack. Here, Arkin writes, is how it will work:

On inauguration day, a high-level Pentagon civilian, authorized to act on the president's and secretary of defense's behalf, will stay behind from the Bush administration for the hours until a new secretary is confirmed and given the twin briefing and authorities held by the president. Raven Rock Mountain in northern Maryland will be activated just in case. Strategic Command in Omaha, Neb., working closely with the intelligence community, will stay on the highest level of alert.