In The Populist Persuasion, Michael Kazin draws parallels between the current election season and the one of 1896. Conor Williams spotlights an economic similarity:
It wasn’t until the 1940s that the United States had the regulatory apparatus in place to guard against panics like 1893's and to balance excessive economic inequality. Since we’ve spent much of the last few decades dismantling the public framework that safeguarded the American middle class, it’s perhaps not surprising that we’re revisiting the late 19th century’s problems.
Eric Boehlert notices a more recent parallel:
The comparison with Reagan in '83 is especially helpful because, like Obama, Reagan was in the third year of his presidency, his approval rating was in the 40s, his party had suffered midterm election losses the year prior, the U.S. economy was faltering, and the opposition controlled the House of Representatives. Those are the similarities. The difference? Reagan’s political opposition had not embraced the radical notion of complete and utter obstructionism.
Steve Benen nods.
The Dish 