It’s an age-old question: What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? This year’s midterm elections may provide the political world’s answer.

Democrats are hoping to ride a blue wave to control of Congress. By historical standards, they should be able to. The party that controls the White House has lost House seats in all but two midterm elections since 1938. The only exceptions were during the unpopular impeachment of President Bill Clinton and the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.