http://www.thepunch.com.au/author-bios/adam-spence/ Adam Spence is a freelance photographer and writer from Canberra. He is currently studying degrees in law and arts at the Australian National University, majoring in political science and international relations. en Copyright 2013 The Punch penberthyd@newsltd.com.au penberthyd@newsltd.com.au Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:00:10 +0000 Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:00:10 +0000 Politics, opinion, world news, sports news, latest news, views, Barack Obama, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, Nathan Rees, Malcolm Turnbull, Peter Garrett, Barnaby Joyce, Australian, federal politics, opinion polls, election, The Punch, thepunch, punch ExpressionEngine 1.6.7 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 15 http://www.thepunch.com.au/images/punch-logo-rss.png http://www.thepunch.com.au/ 144 70 Politics, political opinion, world news, sports news and the latest news and views updated live, daily on The Punch - Australia's best conversation. Search The Punch keywords http://www.thepunch.com.au/search/ http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/how-the-world-would-work-under-president-romney/ Obama is weak and has made America timid. Obama is more a follower than a leader; a passive figure lacking clarity, lacking purpose and lacking resolve. He has deserted past and potential allies, and is guilty of allowing the Middle East to become a more dangerous region than when he took office. It’s less than a month to the US Presidential election, and as the focus turns from domestic to foreign policy, these are the charges being levelled against the incumbent by Republican challenger Mitt Romney. Speaking at the Virginia Military Institute in Washington recently, Romney prevailed on those gathered that the country couldn’t afford another four years of failure, passiveness and receding influence. That its best hope for realising a so-called ‘American century’, securing its dominant economic, political and cultural influence, is his elevation to the oval office. It’s a message he reiterated in yesterday’s town hall debate in Hampstead, New York. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Adam Spence) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/how-the-world-would-work-under-president-romney/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/how-the-world-would-work-under-president-romney/#item9751 Wed, 17 Oct 2012 19:45:22 +0000 Adam Spence | Author bios | The Punch http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Shop-til-they-drop-retailers-brought-this-on-themselves/ I visited a Canberra photography store in search of a particular item because I wanted to support a local retailer before venturing online. Being a specialist outlet and part of a large chain, I was certain they would have it. Quoting a hefty price and saying it would take several weeks to arrive, the salesperson sensed my interest waning. Realising they were losing a sale, he tried recommending a product on special in the corner instead. It was old stock covered in dust that they needed to clear, still very expensive and nothing like the product I had asked about. I chose to order it online instead from a retailer in New York charging half the price and able to deliver in later he same week. Not only was the overseas retailer more competitive, their advice was invaluable; the staff member knowledgeable and attentive. This example is far from unique. ED NOTE: Apologies, a technical hiccup meant the comments on this post were not open previously. You may now comment. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Adam Spence) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Shop-til-they-drop-retailers-brought-this-on-themselves/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Shop-til-they-drop-retailers-brought-this-on-themselves/#item9552 Tue, 25 Sep 2012 19:35:25 +0000 Adam Spence | Author bios | The Punch http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/you-cant-change-history-when-youre-the-opposition/ When Kevin Rudd was deposed in June 2010, two questions were at the forefront of people’s minds, how did it happen and why? Now two years later, people are still wondering. They’re wondering why time has done little to settle the ruminations about Labor’s leadership? Why despite Rudd’s failed bid to retake the leadership in February, an otherwise innocuous comment by his wife could again spark predictions of Julia Gillard’s demise? And why a party that once revered even its failed leaders, seems ever more ready to reject them? The answers lie in a crucial part of the Labor Party’s character, born of its past and haunting it in the present. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Adam Spence) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/you-cant-change-history-when-youre-the-opposition/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/you-cant-change-history-when-youre-the-opposition/#item8965 Thu, 12 Jul 2012 19:55:55 +0000 Adam Spence | Author bios | The Punch http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/political-careers-start-at-university/ The past few weeks have given us a mediocre campaign at best and left the electorate cynical. Can there be any other outcome when all both sides can come up with is an exchange of slogans, attention grabbing stunts and petty bickering. Making sure they say what they believe to be safe and popular while avoiding the risks associated with delving deep into the important issues. Yes, student elections at ANU are all about shallow populism. Wait… did you think I was talking about another election? feedback@thepunch.com.au (Adam Spence) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/political-careers-start-at-university/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/political-careers-start-at-university/#item3916 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:30:56 +0000 Adam Spence | Author bios | The Punch