Mr.Calderon's term in office ends in two years. Some analysts see him as a "lame duck" president with a keen interest in support from Washington.

VOA: standard.2010.05.17

Mr Pastrana's popularity soon plummeted to less that 20% as it became clear that peace process was going nowhere fast, and he became a lame duck president.

BBC: Analysis: Hard task ahead in Colombia

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

This would require a lame-duck Congress and, if Mr Obama loses, a lame-duck president to haggle over extending policies they detest.

ECONOMIST: America��s budget woes