Reply #13: Lame Duck Isn't Until Your Replacement Has Been Elected

[SPKrazy]

The use of the term lame duck has come to mean anyone elected who can't run again.

That isn't what it originally meant.

Technically he isn't a lame duck until the 2008 elections are final.

Then he is a lame duck.

Same is true for any elected official.

See this:

lame duck

NOUN:


1. An elected officeholder or group continuing in office during the period between failure to win an election and the inauguration of a successor.
2. An officeholder who has chosen not to run for reelection or is ineligible for reelection.
An ineffective person; a weakling.

He fits #2, which didn't used to be the definition.

But #1 is the more accurate use of the term.