http://www.thepunch.com.au/author-bios/alan-mascarenhas/ Alan began his career at the Sydney Morning Herald before departing to find fame and fortune in the US. He found neither, but did complete a Master’s degree, work for the Mayor of Chicago and get to shake hands with Chelsea Clinton. Alan has a unique understanding of US politics – having witnessed the inside of an Iowa caucus; and of US society – having crossed the country by Greyhound and lived to tell the tale. en Copyright 2012 The Punch penberthyd@newsltd.com.au penberthyd@newsltd.com.au Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:49 +0000 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:49 +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/palin-is-poised-to-trump-her-opponents/ The US is fighting three wars – give or take Libya. Unemployment just ticked up to 9.1 per cent. In coming weeks, the nation faces a critical decision to raise the $14 trillion debt ceiling. So why is America’s political class still squawking over Sarah Palin? Last week, the former Alaska governor threw the 2012 Republican primary race into chaos - not by announcing her candidacy, but simply renting a bus and hoiking it on vacation. She rode in a bikie parade. She made a cameo at the National Archives. Like the garden gnome in Amelie, her cherubic face popped up in a reel of happy snaps from Gettysburg to the Liberty Bell to New York’s Ellis Island. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Alan Mascarenhas) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/palin-is-poised-to-trump-her-opponents/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/palin-is-poised-to-trump-her-opponents/#item6010 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 19:50:20 +0000 Alan Mascarenhas | Author bios | The Punch http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/kevin-rudd-master-of-disaster/ So Kevin Rudd reckons he’s a better bet to captain the Brisbane Broncos than run for Prime Minister again. Julia Gillard, who once laughed off her Lodge aspirations by claiming she was more chance to play for the Western Bulldogs, could be forgiven for taking that as a declaration of war.  From earthquakes and tsunamis to violent insurrection in the Middle East, 2011 has borne witness to enormous devastation – which, while tragic for those involved – has certainly enabled Rudd as Foreign Minister to suddenly become more ubiquitous on Australian television than the Daddo brothers.  feedback@thepunch.com.au (Alan Mascarenhas) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/kevin-rudd-master-of-disaster/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/kevin-rudd-master-of-disaster/#item5390 Wed, 16 Mar 2011 04:00:22 +0000 Alan Mascarenhas | Author bios | The Punch http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/it-feels-wrong-to-care-about-the-oscars/ In 2002, a triumphant Nicole Kidman swooped gawkily onto stage to collect her Best Actress statue for The Hours. With war raging in Afghanistan and memories of the 9/11 attacks still fresh, many had wondered whether the ceremony should even go ahead . “Why do we come to the Academy Awards when the world is in such turmoil?” Kidman’s awkward question rang out over the auditorium. “Because Art is Important.” feedback@thepunch.com.au (Alan Mascarenhas) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/it-feels-wrong-to-care-about-the-oscars/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/it-feels-wrong-to-care-about-the-oscars/#item5250 Mon, 28 Feb 2011 04:30:47 +0000 Alan Mascarenhas | Author bios | The Punch http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/senate-upset-will-teach-us-a-lot-about-barack-obama/ The US Democratic Party is bewildered and spooked. One year after Barack Obama’s inauguration, a political asteroid struck yesterday, imperilling the road ahead for the President’s agenda, including his cherished healthcare reforms. That Obama’s party could lose a Senate race in the liberal-left bastion of Massachusetts is proof that political hell has officially frozen over. Republicans last held the seat in 1972. But to lose in a special election triggered by the death of Ted Kennedy? feedback@thepunch.com.au (Alan Mascarenhas) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/senate-upset-will-teach-us-a-lot-about-barack-obama/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/senate-upset-will-teach-us-a-lot-about-barack-obama/#item2205 Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:40:57 +0000 Alan Mascarenhas | Author bios | The Punch http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/is-obama-digging-his-own-grave-own-on-healthcare/ Barack Obama craves a historic presidency. Witness his pledge to single-handedly rescue the US health system in which millions lack insurance coverage. “I am not the first president to take up this cause, but I am determined to be the last,” he announced in September. Now, following a crucial Christmas Eve vote in the US Senate, the Democratic-controlled Congress is about to approve a major healthcare package. Hurdles remain: the two houses must still confer to iron out differences. Public financing of abortion remains a flashpoint. But the near-certain outcome, sometime in January, is a bill on the president’s desk. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Alan Mascarenhas) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/is-obama-digging-his-own-grave-own-on-healthcare/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/is-obama-digging-his-own-grave-own-on-healthcare/#item2076 Tue, 29 Dec 2009 02:20:19 +0000 Alan Mascarenhas | Author bios | The Punch