“weak men governors” is generally used in three main contexts: in political rhetoric as an insult, in political science to describe the structural power of the office, and in historical analysis of the role of governors

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In Political Rhetoric

Politicians and commentators often use the phrase “weak” to criticize the actions, policies, or perceived leadership style of specific governors, with recent examples including:

• President Donald Trump famously called several governors “weak” in 2020 for not using the National Guard to more aggressively stop violence and looting during George Floyd protests, urging them to “dominate” demonstrators.
• Other politicians, such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, have used the term to describe men within their own party whom they perceive as not being strong enough in their convictions.
• Opponents in campaigns may label a current or prospective governor as “weak” to suggest they are ineffective, controlled by outside forces, or unable to deliver on promises.
• Governor Wes Moore of Maryland has been labeled “America’s most disappointing governor” by a local economist due to his handling of state finances and other issues, despite high approval ratings in some polls. 

In Political Science (Structural Weakness)

In political science, a “weak” governorship refers to a state constitutionally designed with limited executive power, often with power distributed among other independently elected officials (a “plural executive”). 

• Texas is a prime example of a state with a constitutionally “weak” governorship, a structure created after the Civil War to limit the power of any single individual. The governor’s power primarily comes from the use of the veto and appointment power to boards and commissions, which takes a long time to fully leverage.
• North Carolina also traditionally has a weak governor compared to other states, as the office lacks line-item veto power and shares executive authority with a Council of State. 

In Historical Analysis

Historically, party bosses often installed “weak men” in the governor’s office to ensure their own authority would not be challenged, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This dynamic eventually led to reformers focusing on strengthening the governor’s office as a way to challenge corrupt political machines.