Yes I don't like using the a Null passphrase either, but I don't want to take the time to configure the ssh-agent(assumming I have to configure the client as well). What I did with the Null passphrase is on one server only. After that I copied over the public keys. I did it this way, because I want to centrally mananged all servers through this one. My problem is copying over the public keys, you see I am lazy guy. If I can find a way to do this by running a script, then I will. Otherwise I will have to use scp and provide the password to every remote hosts inorder to copy over the public key(this only done once per host). I found Expect works well with scp.
Thanks Brother