Popular image is that lame duck presidents are powerless , just serving out their term . Julian Zelizer : " The president has no real power to do anything about the debt ceiling or any other issue because he's not elected by anyone but Congress and can only be removed from office through impeachment proceedings in Congress. Do n't write off the chance of Mideast breakthrough by President Obama , he says . Zelizer : Circumstances can create powerful opportunities for change .
Popular image is that lame duck presidents are powerless , just serving out their term . Julian Zelizer : Lame ducks actually can accomplish things , by responding to crises . Do n't write off the chance of Mideast breakthrough by President Obama , he says . Zelizer : Circumstances can create powerful opportunities for change .