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Newsroom FeedNewsroom
Obamacare stands in narrow decision
29 June 2012
ABC Local Radio Evenings
Obama's signature healthcare reform, the Affordable Care Act, has been upheld by the Supreme Court but question marks still hang over the future of the legislation, the partisanship of the court and what the legacy of the decision will be. Professor in legal policy David Weisbrot explains the ins and outs of the case and how it is likely to affect the presidential elections in November. Listen Online
The next step for Obamacare
29 June 2012
SBS World News Australia
By upholding most of President Barack Obama's health care reforms, the US Supreme Court has resolved a high stakes constitutional clash of a kind unseen in decades. Professor in legal policy David Weisbrot says the saving of one of Obama's signature achievements could give the President momentum going into November's elections. Watch Online
Obamacare into the spotlight after decision
29 June 2012
Sky Business
The Supreme Court's decision to uphold Obamacare will force the healthcare issue on to the table in November, as both candidates try and turn the reforms to their advantage. Professor of legal policy David Weisbrot tells Carson Scott that although the economy will remain the central issue, the judgement has positives for both Republican and Democrat campaigners. Watch Online
Next-gen terror watchers go deep into Al-Qaida
29 June 2012
Wired — The Danger Room
Counterterrorism is being changed by a young group of scholars, many of whom are under 40 and are more likely to debate on Twitter than on the New York Times op-ed page, writes Spencer Ackerman. One of these is Centre research associate in counter terrorism Leah Farrall, whose "exacting detail" Ackerman profiles. Read more
Victory for Obama on healthcare
29 June 2012
SBS Radio News
In what has been seen as a major political victory for President Obama, the United States Supreme Court has upheld laws to introduce landmark healthcare reforms spearheaded by his office. Professor of legal policy David Weisbrot says this is a historic moment for both the President and the millions of Americans who will now be covered. Listen Online
Supreme Court upholds Obamacare
29 June 2012
ABC 24 TV Breakfast
The US Supreme Court has upheld the central pillar of Obama's landmark Affordable Care Act legislation, voting 5-4 in support of the individual mandate which requires all American's to take out health insurance. And while it wasn't all good news for Democrats, professor in legal policy David Weisbrot says this represents the courts' most important decision since Bush vs. Gore over a decade ago. Watch Online
Sunshine Hillygus on partisanship in 2012
27 June 2012
In this interview, associate professor of political science at Duke University Sunshine Hillygus discusses how partisanship on issues such as healthcare and the economy can make it hard to shift public opinion and may lead to reduced voter turnout in 2012. She begins by discussing how partisan voters can take different messages from the same information. Professor Hillygus was a speaker at the US Studies Centre's Why Leaders Can't Lead conference. Watch Online
Kenneth Shepsle on what makes a great leader
26 June 2012
Is great leadership still possible? In this interview, the George D. Markham professor of government at Harvard, Kenneth Shepsle discusses the challenges that face leaders attempting to manage broad coalitions while maintaining a united front. He begins by describing his research into why people often don't follow leaders. Professor Shepsle was in Sydney for the US Studies Centre's Why Leaders Can't Lead conference. Watch Online
Notes on America: Latino debate, Groundwater NGOs, and 2012 Albee scholarship winner
26 June 2012
In this edition:
- Latino immigration policy debate heats up
- Groundwater solutions here and in the US
- Queensland playwright wins 2012 Albee Scholarship
- Events and commentary Read more
E. Scott Adler on the challenges of US Congress
26 June 2012
In this interview, professor of political science at the University of Colorado E. Scott Adler discusses the difficulties facing leaders attempting to pursue their agendas in divided and entrenched institutions such as the US Congress. He begins by discussing his latest research which compares college football teams to Congressional groups. Professor Adler was in Sydney for the US Studies Centre's Why Leaders Can't Lead conference. Watch Online
Can leaders really lead?
25 June 2012
Sky Business The Perrett Report
Leaders around the world, whether it be in debt-ravaged Europe, deadlocked America or minority-ruled Australia, are facing ever greater challenges in pursuing key reforms and making their cases for re-election. Visiting professor Simon Jackman talks to Janine Perrett about these issues of leadership may play out in 2012.
Gary Segura on the Hispanic vote
25 June 2012
In this interview, Centre guest Gary Segura discusses the importance of the Hispanic vote in the 2012 elections and how the increasingly anti-immigration reform Republican party can win them back. He begins by discussing his latest research which shows that racial and religious intolerance can often lead low-income earners to vote against their own economic interests. Professor Segura was in Sydney for the US Studies Centre's Why Leaders Can't Lead conference. Watch Online
US prisons and social mobility
23 June 2012
Radio National Saturday Extra
Growing inequality in the United States can in part be linked to mass incarceration policies that have seen an increasingly widespread use of prisons over other solutions to crime. Centre guest Professor Bruce Western discusses the dramatic impact on social mobility, especially for young, poorly educated, African American men that incarceration can have. What else can be done? Listen Online
The true costs of crime and punishment
22 June 2012
Sky Business On The Record
Election promises to be 'tough on crime' combined with harsh and sometimes discriminatory laws for petty criminals have created an increasingly unsustainable problem of mass incarceration in the United States. Harvard professor of sociology and Centre guest Bruce Western traces the roots of the problem and looks at what, if anything, can be done. Watch Online
Here come the candidates
22 June 2012
Sky News Lunchtime Agenda
The G20 Summit, Obama's announcement of immigration reforms and new economic data released this week have all been hot topics on the US campaign trail. In a new regular segment on Lunchtime Agenda, Tom Switzer dissects the news of the week and explains what it might mean for the November elections. Watch Online
Obama courts the Latino vote
22 June 2012
ABC TV Planet America
Approximately 800,000 young Latinos have been protected from deportation by Obama this week in what has been described as the first shot in a war for the crucial Hispanic voting bloc. Stanford University Chair of Chicano/a Studies and Centre guest Gary Segura describes the measure and talks about it's implications for Mitt Romney and the elections in November. Watch Online
Is Washington broken?
22 June 2012
ABC TV Planet America
With institutional gridlock, abuse of the filibuster and hyper-partisanship plaguing US politics, it's not hard to see why Congressional approval levels are below 15%. Centre guest and associate professor in political science at the University of Colorado Scott Adler talks to John Barron about how this stalemate can be resolved, if at all. Watch Online
Trans-pacific lessons in groundwater management
21 June 2012
ABC Rural The Country Hour
With new irrigation regulations coming into effect in the Murray-Darling basin, groundwater is proving to be a hot topic. Leaders of a workshop in comparative groundwater law and policy hosted by the US Studies Centre, Buzz Thompson and Rebecca Nelson, describe the similarities and differences of American and Australian approaches. Listen Online
Simon Jackman on race in presidential elections
21 June 2012
What role will race play in this years presidential election? In this interview, US Studies Centre Visiting Professor Simon Jackman discusses his latest research which suggests that race was a powerful motivating factor for a significant portion of American voters in 2008 and may still be in 2012. Watch Online
Obama and Romney go head-to-head
21 June 2012
ABC Radio Australia Connect Asia
For weeks, polls have had the race at a near dead heat but a Bloomberg survey gives President Barack Obama a commanding 13-point lead over his Republican rival, Mitt Romney. Research associate Tom Switzer discusses the polling, Obama's recent immigration reform and the importance of fundraising to both candidates. Listen Online
Buzz Thompson on US-Australian groundwater collaboration
21 June 2012
In this interview, Director of the Woods Institute for the Environment at Stanford Buzz Thompson discusses the valuable insights that can be gained from trans-Pacific collaboration on groundwater management. Professor Thompson was in Australia for a workshop on comparative approaches to groundwater policy hosted by the US Studies Centre and begins by discussing the increasing importance of innovative water solutions. Watch Online
Rebecca Nelson on the importance of groundwater
21 June 2012
In this interview, lead researcher of the Comparative Groundwater Law and Policy Program at Stanford Rebecca Nelson discusses the growing importance of groundwater management for both Australian and American communities. Ms Nelson was in Australia for a workshop on comparative approaches to groundwater policy hosted by the US Studies Centre and begins by discussing what the workshop hopes to achieve. Watch Online
Obama targets crucial Hispanic vote
20 June 2012
SBS TV World News Australia
President Obama shifted policy last weekend to halt the deportation of undocumented young immigrants. With both sides courting the Hispanic vote, Professor of Politics at Stanford University and Centre guest Gary Segura calls the Obama move a political masterstroke that puts Mitt Romney in a difficult position. Watch Online
Fix the filibuster
19 June 2012
The Drum
When the 2012 election is over, is it possible legislation passed under a President Romney wouldn't be too dissimilar from that passed by President Obama? Luke Freedman, who runs the Centre's Election Watch 2012 website, argues that the Senate's filibuster has prevented a president of either party from passing meaningful legislation — and, for that reason, it's got to go. Read article
Race and imprisonment in America
19 June 2012
ABC Classic FM Midday with Margaet Throsby
The role incarceration plays in the increasing economic and racial inequality in America is of increasing concern to researchers and policy makers in the US. Professor of Sociology and Centre guest Bruce Western talks to Margaret Throsby about the wide ranging detrimental effects of mass incarceration and what, if anything, can be done to reverse them. Listen Online
Notes on America: Why leaders can't lead & rock 'n' roll lecturing
19 June 2012
In this edition:
- Why leaders can't lead in 2012
- Anti-Mormonism dogs Romney's presidential bid
- Sex, Race, and Rock in the USA
- Events and commentary Read more
Military suicides and US print media in decline
18 June 2012
ABC News Radio Inside America
This week, Centre research associate John Barron talks to veterans affairs activist Bonnie Carroll about the troubling increase in US military suicides, former Reagan advisor Scot Faulkner on comments by Jeb Bush this week on the GOP's drift to the right and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist John McQuaid about the decline of the 150 year old New Orleans Times-Picayune newspaper. Listen Online
Andrew Sullivan on the challenges of blogging
18 June 2012
In an excerpt from August's American Review, Chair in US Media James Fallows speaks to Andrew Sullivan from The Daily Beast about the challenges of blogging, how it's changed him both personally and professionally and the future of online news. Watch Online
Election 2012 promises to be tight and fierce
18 June 2012
ABC Radio National The World Today
The advantages of incumbency usually ensure a second term for US presidents but with the economy lagging and changes in campaign finance coming into effect, 2012 promises to be very different for Obama. Visiting Professor Simon Jackman discusses the new challenges both candidates will face on the campiagn trail. Listen Online
Candidates firmly in campaign mode in Ohio
18 June 2012
ABC TV News Breakfast
Visits to Ohio by President Barack Obama and Republican candidate Mitt Romney have underscored the importance of the economy in the November elections and shown both candidates are firmly on campaign footing. Visiting Professor Simon Jackman says how much of the blame for the lagging economy Obama can deflect in the next 5 months will decide the result. Watch Online
Economics and politics collide in US-China relationship
16 June 2012
The China-US relationship is not about to become another Cold War because the two countries are joined at the economic hip, says Centre CEO and Sydney University Business School dean Geoffrey Garrett. In this talk delivered at TEDxSydney, Professor Garrett notes that although this economic co-dependence doesn't guarantee peace, it does create overwhelming incentives for both countries to cool down incipient crises before they flame out of control. Watch Online
Liberals increasingly wary of Mormons in office, study shows
15 June 2012
Fox News
With the profile of Mormonism increasing in comtemporary America, election analysts are wondering how Mitt Romney's religion will affect his shot at the presidency. A new paper by Centre lecturer David Smith sheds some light on the issue; one of his findings is that anti-Mormon attitudes have increased among liberal and non-religious voters since 2008. Read article
Republicans harden and anti-mormonism proves bipartisan
15 June 2012
ABC TV Planet America
Centre lecturer David Smith joins research associate John Barron on Planet America to discuss the Republican shift to the right and the political difficulties of Mormonism. Watch Online
The legacy of Watergate 40 years on
15 June 2012
SBS Radio World News Australia
This week marks the 40th anniversary of an event that began as a tiny news item and wound up infiltrating the way we think about the president, the media and catapulted the suffix -gate into common usage. Postdoctoral fellow Nicole Hemmer speaks to Ron Sutton about the continuing legacy of the Watergate scandal. Listen Online
Study: Liberal anti-Mormonism on the rise
14 June 2012
Buzzfeed
Since Mitt Romney first ran for president in 2007, Americans have become more reluctant to vote for Mormons. That's what a new study by Centre lecturer David Smith has found — and the people most wary of pulling the lever for a Latter Day Saint are liberals and non-religious voters. Read article
Your politics stink!
14 June 2012
The Global Mail
New scientific research suggests that people on the left and right of politics don't only see the world differently, they also hear and smell it differently. Mike Seccombe explores the world of poltical difference, including a study by Centre research associate Peter Hatemi that suggests ideology literally stinks. Read more
Where we draw a line with our American friends
14 June 2012
The Canberra Times
The labor disputes in Wisconsin that culminated in Governor Scott Walker facing a recall election have much in common with Australia's 2007 federal election, says Centre professor of legal policy David Weisbrot. The different result, however, shows just how different Australia and the United States are. Read article
Notes on America: Groundwater, Romney's boost, and Robert Hill's honour
13 June 2012
In this edition:
- Trans-Pacific water solutions
- Slow economy suits Romney
- Queen's Birthday honour for Robert Hill
- Events and commentary Read more
Has Australia fallen for Obama's soft power?
13 June 2012
The Conversation
The election of Barack Obama has seen Australian approval of the United States creep steadily up, and Australians generally approve of the US president. But, says Centre lecturer David Smith, the rest of the world isn't as enthusiastic. Read article
The international skinny on the US elections
13 June 2012
NPR Online
New survey results from the Pew Global Attitudes Project suggest that the blush is off the international rose for Obama. Associate Professor Brendon O'Connor gives an Australian perspective on the battle between the incumbent and Mitt Romney. Read more
Election battle looms in Papua New Guinea
12 June 2012
Australia Network Newsline
After a tumultuous year in Papua New Guinea politics the country is gearing up for its general election but rugged terrain and poor infrastructure creates a huge logistical task. Professor in Legal Policy David Weisbrot says the elections will be free and fair but very hard-fought. Watch Online
Two-hour news cycle heralds non-stop triviality
11 June 2012
The Australian
The advent of online journalism has turned the media's 24-hour news cycle into a two-hour news cycle and it's changing how the US conducts its electoral campaigns. Washington Post economics correspondent Michael Fletcher tells Sally Jackson what its like reporting on politics in this new environment. Read article
At risk of a tilt to the extremes
11 June 2012
The Australian
The Republican Party was once a broad church that could accomodate the likes of Jacob Javitz, John Lindsay, and Nelson Rockefeller, says professor of legal policy David Weisbrot. But is there any room for moderates in today's GOP? Read article
It's the economy, stupid
10 June 2012
ABC News Radio Inside America
President Obama has turned many traditionally Republican issues, such as national security, into strengths but the economy still looms as the decisive battleground in the 2012 elections. Washington Post correspondent and Centre guest Mike Fletcher talks to the ABC's John Barron about the implications of stalling job growth for the race to the White House. Listen Online
Robert Hill earns reward for years of politics
10 June 2012
The Adelaide Advertiser
The 2012 Queen's Birthday Honours List included an award for former senator for South Australia and Centre adjunct professor in sustainability Robert Hill. Professor Hill was awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to the Parliament "particularly through the development of policy reform in the portfolios of the environment and defence, and to Australia's international relations." Read article
Swing state economies to decide election
8 June 2012
Sky Business On The Record
With the race to the White House heating up, a number of factors including religion, healthcare and national security will help decide the race. But Centre guest Mike Fletcher of the Washington Post suggests the state of the economy in six or seven swing states will be the most crucial indicator. Watch Online
Mike Fletcher on the changing role of journalists
8 June 2012
The press plays such an important role in US democracy that it’s often referred to as the Fourth Estate. But in an increasingly frantic news-cycle, with social media creating all new platforms, opportunities and pitfalls for journalists, how has the role of the media in reporting elections changed? National economics correspondent for the Washington Post Michael Fletcher discusses how ideas of objectivity, immediacy and access have all been irrevocably changed. Watch Online
Job numbers tell the tale for Obama
8 June 2012
ABC TV Planet America
Recent US economic data has upset the momentum of Barack Obama in his bid to win re-election in November. National economics correspondent for the Washington Post Mike Fletcher says how the economy feels on the ground, not just the numbers, will decide the election. Watch Online
Will Mitt Romney be the next president?
7 June 2012
ABC Radio National Drive
With Mitt Romney having wrapped up the Republican nomination, Americans are turning their attention to the man and his policies. Washington Post reporter and Centre guest Michael Fletcher talks to Waleed Aly about Romney's foreign policy, fundraising, and ideas about health care policy. Listen online
Inequality and opportunity in America
6 June 2012
ABC Classic FM Midday with Margaret Throsby
National economics correspondent for the Washington Post Mike Fletcher talks to Margaret Throsby about the feeling in America after years of lacklustre recovery following the global financial crisis. What has changed in his home town of Baltimore since he was a kid and has the American psyche been altered forever? Listen Online
Wisconsin loss won't hurt Obama
6 June 2012
SBS World News Australia
How will victory for Republican Governor Scott Walker in Wisconsin affect Obama's chances around the country in November? National economics correspondent for the Washington Post and US Studies Centre visitor Mike Fletcher explains that although the result sends a strong message to some, the economy will overshadow this Democrat loss. Watch Online
Elite US universities offer free web courses
6 June 2012
The Australian
Last month, Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology began offering some of their courses online and at no cost to anyone who wants to take them — with certificates of completion available at the end. Centre chief operating officer Sean Gallagher and chief executive officer Geoffrey Garrett say this innovation is one that could disrupt models of higher education across the world. Read article
Notes on America: War on women, Pacific shift, and Campaign media
5 June 2012
In this edition:
- Rhetoric, politics, and discrimination in the US
- Keating examines Pacific shift
- Winter Study: Barron and Fallows teach US media and politics
- Events and commentary Read online
Will US unemployment defeat Obama?
5 June 2012
ABC Radio National Breakfast
Disappointing US employment data helped send global share markets tumbling this week. Washington Post correspondent Mike Fletcher, in Australia as a guest of the US Studies Centre, explains what this means for President Obama's re-election campaign. Listen Online
Job report puts pressure on Obama
4 June 2012
ABC Lateline
Dismal jobs numbers in the US have caused massive losses on stock markets around the world and put new pressure on president Barack Obama to show he can turn the American economy around. Washington Post correspondent Mike Fletcher, in Australia as a guest of the US Studies Centre, explains how the numbers are being felt in the US electorate. Watch Online
Extraditing Assange and trumpeting Trump
3 June 2012
ABC News Radio Inside America
This week in Inside America, Centre research associate John Barron talks to former CIA analyst David McMichael about the likelihood of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange being extradited from Sweden to the United States, blogger Jonathan Riehl about the re-emergence of Donald Trump in the presidential campaign, and journalist Joe McGinniss about his books on Richard Nixon, Ted Kennedy, and Sarah Palin. Listen online
US still driving world economy
1 June 2012
Sky Business On the Record
Overblown claims of US decline have obscured the fact that in immigration, innovation and industry, America remains a leading global power. US Studies Centre CEO Geoffrey Garrett says that these facts, as well as the mutual dependence of China and the US, will ensure that leaders of both countries seek to retain the status quo in international relations. Watch Online
