Lame duck (politics)

As Lame Duck ( " lame duck " ) is referred to in the political system of the United States, a president or other politician who is still in office, but does not compete for re-election or has lost an election. He is particularly true in domestic politics as incapacitated.

Since the presidential election in the United States (" General Elections " ) is set at the Tuesday after the first Monday in November, President, however, used only on January 20, the President still strong ten weeks left in the case of the lack of re-election in office. Such a president should bring during this period no important laws on the way or occupy important posts, such as judgeships in the Supreme Court, the Supreme Court

More generally, the term a politician who ruled in the foreseeable future from office, for example, because:

• He may not be re-elected ( George W. Bush in 2008, Bill Clinton in 2000 ),
• It waives a bid again or re-election and therefore months before his retirement from politics announced ( Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968, New York Governor David Paterson 2010),

Similarly, the term is used whenever the party, who belongs to the President, the majority in Congress and the President loses thus without the political opponents say goodbye no more laws.

Even outside the policy is used that term. Thus, in the sports coaches who want to leave the club or need, " Lame Duck" or " lame duck " called.