Julian Zelizer : Most presidents fare poorly in their second set of midterm elections . He says Eisenhower , the Supreme Court , Eisenhower , Eisenhower and Bill Clinton all suffered reverses . In 1998 , only Bill Clinton was able to gain strength from second midterm , he says . Zelizer : Obama 's final years in office could be shadowed by midterm results .
Julian Zelizer : Most presidents fare poorly in their second set of midterm elections . He says Wilson , FDR , Eisenhower , Reagan and George W. Bush all suffered reverses . In past century , only Bill Clinton was able to gain strength from second midterm , he says . Zelizer : Obama 's final years in office could be shadowed by midterm results .