Republicans looking for a historical parallel to their present situation may think first of 1976, the last time an incumbent president lost a close election decided by narrow margins in a few states. There is another example, however, that better fits many of the contours of the moment: the 1892 election. The lessons from that election offer some optimism for how quickly things can turn, and some ominous parallels for Democrats.
Begin with a striking number: Eight American presidents before Donald Trump have lost reelection since the beginning of modern popular-vote elections in the 1830s. In four out of the eight, the losing party came back and won four years later.
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