As the Obama administration enters its second year, evaluations range from the extremely positive to the exceedingly negative. Looking for a balanced, informed perspective from a veteran presidential-studies specialist, I turned to Georgetown University’s Stephen J. Wayne, the author of “The Road to the White House 2008″ and a forthcoming book on President Barack Obama.

Nature has a way of delivering some of its most devastating blows to those who already suffer disproportionately, as happened during Haiti’s tragic earthquake. It will take weeks, maybe months, to account for those who are lost and evaluate the full extent of the damage.
Fortunately, through the efforts of many, the most needed items — [...]