The force summoning them back in this pitiable condition is the lame-duck session.

NPR: Lawmakers Have Full Plate for Lame-Duck Session

This is not to say that lame-duck sessions by nature can't do big things.

NPR: Lawmakers Have Full Plate for Lame-Duck Session

And as from Senator Voinovich, is there any indication that this could happen in the lame duck session?

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

This will come just as a lame-duck Congress is getting ready to call it a year and a session.

FORBES: Magazine Article

This lame brainteaser from the dreaded Joel Schumacher ("Batman and Robin") is saved by its own ineptitude.

CNN: Review: '23' is a bad number

And, again, I think what this administration hopes for is for the type of bipartisanship and the type of collegiality that was had during the lame duck.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

This unprecedented and potentially awkward situation makes Mr Mbeki something of a lame duck president, but he has said there is no reason for his government not to serve its full term.

BBC: South Africa faces turbulent 2008