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 : In doing so , he had also formed a powerful coalition of industrial workers , farmers , progressive business leaders and intellectuals . The president who wins the most votes is usually the one with a strong reelection campaign.
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 : The president who wins the most votes is usually the one with a strong reelection campaign.