As drowning men clutch at straws, presidents in trouble often cling to Harry Truman’s 1948 upset re-election for hope. But President Obama may be looking to President Clinton’s 1998 midterm for assurance that all will be well.

Under assault since the winter, Clinton was buoyed by scandal fatigue plus a booming economy, and Republicans lost five House seats instead of gaining the 15 they expected. Democrats cite these as reasons the current wave of scandals will backfire on the Republicans.