What is a lame duck president?

Q. What is a lame duck president?

A. A president is often referred to as a "lame duck" during the weeks he or she serves in office after his or her successor has been elected. Presidents can also be considered lame duck in the final months of their presidency as their power and influence in Washington wanes, especially when Congress is controlled by an opposing party that is less likely to compromise with an outgoing leader.

Q. Why doesn't the next president take office immediately?

A. The founding fathers outlined a period of transition between an outgoing and incoming president in order to allow the incoming president an opportunity to prepare for the job. Originally, the president didn't take office until March 4, four months after the election. In the 1930s, Congress passed a constitutional amendment that moved Inauguration Day to January 20, to allow for a speedier process between presidents and their successors.

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