Le jogging n'est pas français, Monsieur le Président

As a correspondent, you try to avoid reinforcing national stereotypes but sometimes the French don't let us. Where else, for example, would people argue that jogging is a capitalist pastime that is designed to undermine serious thought and democracy? 

The matter has been burning up blog space on the internet and the mainstream media since Nicolas Sarkozy brought his running habit to the Elysée Palace and used it to hone his image as a new-style dynamic president. "Is jogging rightwing?" asked a headline in Libération last Thursday.

On television, Alain Finkielkraut, one of the big philosophers from the 1968 generation, begged Sarko to stop jogging and start walking. "Western civilisation, in its best sense, was born with the promenade. Walking is a sensitive, spiritual act. Jogging is management of the body. The jogger says I am in control. It has nothing to do with meditation," said Finkielkraut [video clip].

[Philosopher denounces Sarkozy jogging]

Jogging leaders have been common since President Jimmy Carter in the 1970s, but until Speedy Sarko won office, French heads of state shunned physical exertion in public. Imagine Charles de Gaulle in running shorts.  The late Francois Mitterrand was partial to a round of golf, but the reflective stroll was his public recreation. The film on his final days last year was titled Le promeneur du Champs de Mars. Jacques Chirac was famous for his energy, but in public he moved at walking pace, always in suit and tie.

[Sarko by the Med, in favourite NYPD t-shirt] 

Since he bounded up the steps of the Elysée Palace in his first week in office (top photo), Sarko, has made running the symbol of his presidency. He has even turned le footing -- as it is still known in French -- into a royal ritual. In the 18th century, the public used to attend the king's ride in the park of Versailles. Now they turn our for his majesty's jog, in the company of his favoured courtiers, in the Bois de Boulogne or, at weekends, along the shore of the Mediterranean at Bregançon. Cameramen and photographers are always on hand for the Med outings, guaranteeing a few seconds for the vigorous Pres on the evening news.

Sarko's imperial jog is like a red rag to his leftwing critics. Their argument goes like this: running in public is self-centred and exhibitionist and worse than that...it is American. If you support la République's values of solidarity and equality, you do not jog.

The perpetual images of Sarkozy jogging are not innocent, said Daniel Schneidermann, a prominent media critic. "Their power of seduction enables them to shunt aside everything else ... Alongside the jogging motion, everything else is static, dusty, grey, as if disembodied."

"I hate jogging and even more, I hate the idea that my income tax pays for Sarkozy to do it while I am wearing myself out at work," moaned Val, one of those who reacted to Libération's "Rightwing" article. Libé, tongue in cheek, noted that "the real jogger" subscribes to Sarkozy values such as getting up early. It quoted Odile Baudrier, Editor of V02 magazine, a sports publication: "Jogging is of course about performance and individualism, values that are traditionally ascribed to the Right." Patrick Mignon, a sports sociologist, commented that French intellectuals had always held sport in contempt while totalitarian regimes cultivated physical fitness.

France turned into a big sporting nation in the 20th century and eight million people run regularly, according to an Addidas survey. But the scorn for le jogging présidentiel shows that something of the old prejudice lingers on. Le sport, from le handball to le running, is well ..."Anglo-Saxon". French physical competition -- cycling for example -- expresses something Gallic.

Sarko is partial to the odd bicycle outing, but think how he would have scored if he strolled out of the Elysée with a set of boules and a bottle of pastis and became the first Pétanque President.

   [Mitterrand: the strolling president]

Comments

[Dominique]

Charles,

"a capitalist pastime that is designed undermine serious thought and democracy?"
I think you are pushing it. I never heard that one. Probably an "anglo" bias...

Just look at the fact : we don't care if Sarko makes jogging, runs, swims, eats tete de veau or mc donald. Neither do we care if he sleeps with his wife or with anybody else. That's not the problem.

The problem is that every step he does (jogging), every drop he drinks (remember the so called censored video), every Tshirt he wears (NYPD), every jeans he buys (Levis 501 or not 501?), every sunglasses he wears (Men in Black), every mobile phone he uses (blackberry or not?), every woman he sleeps with (Cecilia or Figaro journalist?), every man his wife is dating (the president or the publicist?) is subject to the journalist loghorrea that now turns into a bloghorrea!

All of this well organised by Bouygues, Bolloré, Drucker and all his friends. And we are part of it. France is turning into the pre-1789 society with the royal familly and the "cour de Versailles" surrounding it.

I therefore completly agree with Finkelkraut's comment. The more we criticize the "elected familly", the better we'll be!

The more we will see Sarko running, the more we will need to make a fool of this ridiculous way of running.

The more we will see Sarko's wife parading eventhough not elected, the more we will need to prove that she is ridiculous parading,

The more he will spend time with industry beacons (bolloré etc...), the more he will be accused of corruption.

It's a bit like those UK politicians who were heralding "vertu" and were caught dressed in women's nighties. I don't care if they want to dress like that, but please, give us a break with the "vertu". Same with DeVilliers heralding the catholic family of his, with 8 perfect children raised in the religion. And now we learn his bigger son was not quite so with the youger son... how pathetic!

Same today with the Sarko show : give us a break or it will blow in your face !

NB : sur le fond des propos de Finkelkraut, je suis également en accord : la promenade est bien plus enrichissante que le jogging!

[frjeoij]

Omg this is ridiculous, not the article but the scuffle. Question: When a president cheats on his wife, has a secret second wife and an illegitimate child, is that right wing or left wing ?? And when they drink beer and eat tete de veau, right or left ?

Gimme a break, as far as i'm concerned, all this is a matter of private life, he wants to jog, how is that supposed to be a problem. The leftists in the media are just so frustrated that sarkozy the "capitalist deamon" has won, that they're just trying to find whatever pretext to scorn him. This is ridiculous.

[Christine]

Thank you for this funny post.
But one remark: please, please, please. Alain Finkelkraut is NOT a philosopher (neither big nor small). The same can be said of BHL, Glucksmann, and numerous wannabee "thinkers" that haunt television sets.
Foucault, Deleuze, please come back!

[Sandrine]

Now c'mon Charles, why do you say that only the left think that ??? I know people who voted for him and who also think that he's going too far. If he wanna jog, well ok, good for him, but why does he have to be followed by a million tv cameras or photographers ? We don't really need to see the president in knickers you know !!

And this has nothing to do with the fact that he is a "capitalist deamon", I would think the same if Ségolène had been elected !

This is just ridiculous. Charles, vous voulez vraiment nous faire passer pour des idiots en France.

"If you support la République's values of solidarity and equality, you do not jog."

Où avez-vous entendu/lu cette phrase ?? C'est la première fois que je vois ça. Je trouve que vous allez très loin dans l'extrapolation.

[Thanks Sandrine. My line about Republican values was meant to be deuxième degré, a reduction of the anti-jogging logic: CB]

[Dominique]

FRJEOIJ

"Question: When a president cheats on his wife, has a secret second wife and an illegitimate child, is that right wing or left wing ??"

- what do you call "cheating on his wife"? I am afraid this tells more about your own views of what is a "good" sex relationship (legitimate within marriage?) and a "bad" sex relationship (illegitimate outside marriage?)

- What is exactly a "illegitimate" child? I am afraid this tells more about your own views of what is a "good" child(legitimate within marriage?) and a "bad" child (illegitimate outside marriage?)

All these "orders" to transparency is a nightmare. The society is dying from this horrible "public morale" and "press justice". Defining what is good behavior and what is bad behavior is pathetic! Let people have sex with whoever they want, have children with whoever they want, get married for the reason they want, protect their children if they want.

The only problem is : stop heralding it for electoral purposes because then it becomes a political subject. It spoiles both : private life AND politics! More, we 'll have to check if they tell the truth or not!

I praise Mitterand, Chirac, DeGaulle for their dignity! Mitterand raised her "illegitimate" daughter and did not lecture anyone! Chirac did protect his disabled daughter (hide you would say?) from the press and did not try to make people feel sorry for him. DeGaulle was saying that his wife was "not representing" France because she was not elected! That's real dignity!

On the other side, Sarko showing off every morning with Jacques Martin's daughters claiming he has 5 children eventhough he has only three...That's obcene! Did you al know that Sarko is making huge work at "la lanterne" for having his tribe around him? The swimming pool is to be completly redone because it does not suit Cécilia antoinette. I wonder why the republic is paying for J.Martin's daughters!! Poor J.Martin is now to old to wake up! At least, Mitterand used the buildings as such for his daughter! I spare you Cecilia's parading like Marie Antoinette, and sarko speaking on his private media TF1 : "i am proud of Cecilia when she represents France". He obviously believe we live in a monarchy! We are not!

Ha ça ira ça ira ça ira, les aristochrates à la lanterne,
Ha ça ira ça ira ça ira, les aristochrates on les pendra !

"And when they drink beer and eat tete de veau, right or left ?"

---> Neither. What a silly question! It is not a question of right or left : it's a question of having pride (Chirac, Mitterand, Degaulle) or being vulgar (Sarko)!

[Valentin]

What makes a philosopher nowadays?
The time of Descartes et Pascal is far behind, as is that of Victor Hugo and Mozart, if you like.
Someone with philosophy education, who teaches philosophy and who writes philosophy essays may be called a philosopher... and Finkelkraut, if not better, is certainly less glamour and more credible one than BHL...

I looked on Liberation's website but in vain, I could find no trace of the article about the ideology behind jogging.
I guess Sarko wants to be one of the people, not the president walking aloof, above mere mortals, lost in his divine thoughts.
Oh and we forget Giscard playing football in the 70s, his sweaty, hairy chest offered to the greedy cameras :)

Valentin

[Robert Marchenoir]

Amazing. Only in France. You'd think this is a parody, but no: people actually argue seriously about that.

And Finkielkraut, who is usually rather smart on social trends, is at his wit's end on this one: Sarkozy had better walk because that's what Aristotle and Rimbaud did.

Yeah right. Only Aristotle and Rimbaud didn't have to sort out the horrible mess France is stuck in right now, did they?

And to smartalecs who regret Mitterrand's leisurely strolls, I say: witness the results.

Run, Sarko, run!

[karen]

I think that the real problem is the fact that the French have always awarded the status of king to their presidents. Now we have a president who conducts himself as a human being and not as something resembling the Dalai Lama as did De Gaulle, Mitterand etc. Why's everybody giving so much attention to something sooo banal? Who cares how he chooses to keep fit? Sarkozy didn't start running last year as a sort of marketing campaign, you know.

[christopher muir]

There's no doubt in my mind that pre-breakfast jogging political leaders just love being filmed during this vain exercise routine. Whether in the end it helps to keep them healthy is doubtful. Bill Clinton's subsequent heart condition was no great advertisement for le White House footing. Many joggers suffer injuries which ultimately inconvenience their patient colleagues - lateness or even absence - caused by excessive strain on muscles, knees and feet. Anyway, there's no need for Sarko to run in public. A few laps around the Palace grounds would seem to be quite sufficient. And there would be privacy, not to mention added safety in that environment.

[azloon]

"Amazing. Only in France. You'd think this is a parody, but no: people actually argue seriously about that." -- robert marchenoir (and my sentiments as well)

is french thinking, perception really in such a staightjacket that sarko's morning jog is a subject for serious discussion, criticism??

God, please save the french from themselves. amen.

[Susannah]

Robert Marchenoir wrote: Only Aristotle and Rimbaud didn't have to sort out the horrible mess France is stuck in right now, did they?

Hear, hear! And besides, Aristotle actually praises physical exercise, as do Plato and every other classical sage -- mens sana in corpore sano, and all that sort of thing. Where does anyone get the idea that it's somehow dignified to be unfit, or unintellectual to exercise?

Karen's also correct to point out that Sarko didn't start this for marketing purposes. He's been running for years, and running with Fillon since before the campaign ended, and I don't see why he should stop just because, now that he's president, other people want to take pictures of him.

Anyway, we should probably be glad he runs -- it's got to burn off at least some energy. Think what he would be like if he didn't get any exercise.

[azloon]

"Bill Clinton's subsequent heart condition was no great advertisement for le White House footing." --christopher muir

true enough, but clinton, while jogging, usually stopped at mcdonald's for a sausage mcmuffin or three, surely an offset to any benefit he might have been getting from the exercise.

why does sarkozy wears the NYPD tee-shirt? was it a gift from the police department? does he think it looks cool, sort of jean paul belmondo without the cigarette? for no good reason? help, please.

[VisitorHK]

CHRISTINE :
Finkielkraut is a philosopher even if you don’t appear to appreciate contemporary philosophy.

DOMINIQUE:
It seems that you mix up a few points. On one hand you want private life to be separated from politics and let people – practically do what they want.
On the other hand you praise the pride of Sarkozy’s predecessors, calling Sarkozy’s media exposure vulgar. You don’t want to accept that Sarkozy talks about his 5 children. If he chooses to have honest paternal feelings towards all five so what?

In both cases you judge politicians on their private life.

What you say is not about leaving those politicians alone with their private matters, but you seem to seek to admire your representatives. If they manage to keep their private life a mystery, devotion is a lot easier.

I don’t need to know details on a politician’s private life. If however, Sarkozy, (or any other politician for that matter) chooses to allow us to have part in his fitness routine, so what? You can, of course, be proud of him, or ignore it, or else feel compelled to do the same…. – You must, however, deal with this human factor! Sarkozy is an ambitious politician – and not the distant monarch. The French need to come to terms with this – and they will.

So far, the ‘running coverage’ has had no impact on me, except that I got the message that the president is a dynamic person, but I already knew that before.

As much as their private life belongs to them (the politicians), their private life might reveal moral issues that cannot be fully separated from politics! It is only natural that you expect a politician’s private life to be coherent with his political views. If a politician’s offspring doesn’t turn out to be the one mom or dad had expected to be, you cannot judge them on this. They are, however, responsible for their own private behaviour. Their life on a small scale should somehow reflect their views on society on a larger scale, or, at least, it is not supposed to contradict their public views. – The jogging issue doesn’t fall into this category at all.
Sarkozy loves to cultivate this image of an athletic, dynamic, modern politician, and this might appeal to some. It is startling to many because it is so different from what everybody has been used to in French politics – and that is all.

[Robert Marchenoir]

"why does sarkozy wears the NYPD tee-shirt?"

My guess:

1. Because every other Frenchman does.

2. Because he loves America and admires New York's "no broken windows" saga.

3. In order to have all the leftists in the country jump up and down.

I suspect reason n°3 is the most important, though.

[Helen]

After reading this post and the comments, I now have images of De Gaulle in shorts and a sweaty Giscard in my head. Ugh.

I find the over-analysing of the jogging thing quite funny. I don't think it's anything more than a daily exercise routine, and if he wants to run in the Bois de Boulogne or wherever, then let him.

Can't imagine he ventured out today, though (it's barely stopped raining in Paris all day). Maybe he's running up and down a few flights of stairs in the Elysée instead.

[Terry]

Great article. I jog five miles every other day. I find quite it meditating actually. About a mile in, I usually go into a trance where I don't even realize that I'm jogging. I think about work, life and the ridiculous things that Dominique says here.

I'll take a bite at the right wing virtues of jogging. First, you have to get up early to jog. And we all know that the early bird gets the worm. Right off the bat this offends leftists, who believe all things should be distributed equally regardless of merit or industriousness. Right wingers believe in hard work to get ahead. So they run from Point A to Point B. By contrast, leftists always want to do the minimal amount of work possible-so they leisurally walk from Point A to Point. But lefties don't like be passed by others. It gives Leftists the notion that someone is getting ahead of them. It also reminds the leftist walker of his lazy slothliness for not having the drive or ability to jog instead of walking. Of course, the leftist wouldnt be have to confront these demons if it jogging didnt exist. Consequently, the leftist spends most of his time while walking thinking about how to tax right wing joggers. Lastly, joggers experience a physical high (the famed "jogger's high) after the run. A well earned euphoria in return for hard work. Leftists, on the other hand, prefer euphoria without the hard work. So, they achieve their high sitting in a chair drinking wine. Or perhaps, by inhaling a certain dried plant.

One last point. Jogging may be American. But jogging in matching tourquoise socks certainly is French.

[azloon]

HELEN:

you obviously don't understand the psyche of the jogger. it's about producing endorphins -- weather be damned. a former wife of mine ran 365 days a year, rain or snow. it was her addiction. and though i am not as fanatical, i understand the endorphin "high." non-exercisers just don't 'get it.' type-a personalities, especially, find that these endorphins produce relaxation, and a sense of well-being.

all french should be grateful that the hyper-kinetic sarkozy is jogging. it may increase the liklihood that his decisions will be calm and reasoned, and he won't be as frenetic as he appeared to be that day when he seemed drunk at the press conference.

ROBERT MARCHENOIR;

if 'all frenchmen" wear these t-shirts, presumably this includes the leftists who will "jump up and down."

are you certain it isn't part of a steve mcqueen complex?

[thinknoworpaylater]

Christine please dont mention Foucault or Deleuze on this site. Americans either dont know who they are (or what they wrote) or dont want to know because it would seriously undermine their position. In fact Foucault has been very influential in his critique of contemporary thought and discourse and his work wont go away. Sorry but thats how it is (as some of you Americans love to say )

[Dominique]

azloon ,

you said both :

"is french thinking, perception really in such a staightjacket that sarko's morning jog is a subject for serious discussion, criticism??
God, please save the french from themselves. amen"

and then,

"why does sarkozy wears the NYPD tee-shirt? was it a gift from the police department? does he think it looks cool, sort of jean paul belmondo without the cigarette? for no good reason? help, please."

obviously, it is a big concern for you! don't blame the french for being anoyed!

VisitorHK :

"In both cases you judge politicians on their private life."

Absolutly not : i judge politicians on their private life when they put it in front of my nose. If they don't want to be criticized, they should not spoil the political debate with it. If they talk about it, it becomes political, and therefore can (should) be criticized.
I never criticized Giscard, Chirac Mitterand private lifes because they did not make a political subject out of it.

"If they manage to keep their private life a mystery, devotion is a lot easier. "

exactly : they are elected for ruling the country, not for private life exhibition. don't spoil political life!

"I don’t need to know details on a politician’s private life. If however, Sarkozy, (or any other politician for that matter) chooses to allow us to have part in his fitness routine, so what? "

So what? That is called propaganda. let's al go in the president's routine! If you can avoid it, lucky you : you don't live in France. We get wake up morning news learning that Sarko started to jogg, have lunch while being informed that Cecilia left Paris for the WE and go to bed at night after being told that Sarko took a bath at fort Bregançon.

"You can, of course, ignore it" : i wish i could! but i can't, i watch TV, read the paper and blogg on the timesonline!!

"Sarkozy is an ambitious politician – and not the distant monarch. The French need to come to terms with this – and they will."

I believe the very opposite. He behaves like Louis XIV (Sun King)having his cour running after him to know weather he drinks wine or he slept with the queen last night! taking picture ofhis last jogging. We have never been so close to living in a monarchy since 1829!

"Their life on a small scale should somehow reflect their views on society on a larger scale, or, at least, it is not supposed to contradict their public views. – "

Agreed : Sarko should resign then! He heralded values of work and citizenship and was offered gifts and is therefore corrupted. His friends ar well known "héritiers" who never created anything.

"Sarkozy loves to cultivate this image of an athletic, dynamic, modern politician, and this might appeal to some."

And should therefore not be criticized? Obviously the propaganda did a good job on you! Welcome to the new popular republic of North Sarkea! Northern Coreans know everything about the Kim leader ability to jogg, run, write opera and dance the ballet!

Karen,

"I think that the real problem is the fact that the French have always awarded the status of king to their presidents."

Well, we avoided it until now. It is only starting with Sarko!

By the way, i am glad the french president does not have quite the status of the Queen of england! He would be powerless. I am in favor of giving power to elected people, otherwise what is the purpose of the election?

[Dominique]

Terry,

Being called "ridiculous" by you is an honnor!

The simple idea that the "ridiculous things i write here" have an impact on your trance while jogging makes me think that some of my ideas may even one day start changing your distorted brain and that you are no longer as free as you claim you are!

And if I am part of this, so be it!

[Helen]

Oh no, I've been outed as a "non-exerciser"! ;) I cycle....

[rocket]

Dominique

"every woman he sleeps with (Cecilia or Figaro journalist?), every man his wife is dating (the president or the publicist?)...

Why are you systematically coming back to sex? Aren't you getting any?

[Tom Livingston]

Did you make up the name Finkelkraut Charles?

[alan morgan]

The French army has a long history of running. So why get excited about Sarko?

[pascalengt]

I agree with Finkielkraut for a very simple reason: joggers are ugly,actually disgusting. Why don't they do that on a rolling carpet in their bathroom instead of exhibiting their sweat, hair...oh, beurk!

[azloon]

DOMINIQUE:

i am entertained by the sarko jogging story, not annoyed.

the french posters here seem to want to make a serious intellectual inquiry into it's phenomena. over here would call this discussion "mental masturb*****."

there are levels of disclosure of one's private life (even a french president's).

obviously ones toilet habits are less savory than where one eats dinner when they go out, or where they vacation (and by implication whether they jog or not, even in public).

i am surprised that a number of folks (french) express genuine offense at sarko's behavior.

i suspect it's his politics they (you) don't like rather than whether he jogs in public or not.

as i mentioned before, clinton used to stop (and eat) at mcdonald's when he jogged. once sarko and queen marie are installed at versailles, i will suggest to him that he stop at the world's most elegant mcdonald's, in downtown versaille near the train station (the metro?). it has genuine marble floors and columns which i am sure the company had to agree to in order to put a restaurant only a short walk from arguably france's second most famous landmark. Sarko can chat with the teenagers who gather there after school to socialize and eat pommes frites (freedom fries). a wonderful photo opportunity for a man who understands modern politics, and may end up helping to drag his country into the 20th century, despite all the naysayers.

[VisitorHK]

DOMINIQUE :
Criticism isn’t necessarily negative. – Your criticism on Mitterrand & Co. says: It was o kay that you didn’t bother me with your private business. That is – philosophically speaking – your approval of their dealing with private matters (= positive criticism).

I agree on the private life exhibition point, yet again: why not just ignore it? You call it propaganda. It is, maybe. But was it so much better that those who reigned before him hided those personal details so well?

I live in France. What is disturbing you, keeps me smiling, amused… - And it seems that many foreigners in France feel the same way in this respect as I do.

Sarkozy is generally referred to as King, Tsarkozy, etc. – But he didn’t change or even create this system that allows him to be who he is. He lives his position to its full potential. This behaviour might be aristocratic (in a jet set way) and as such, it is full of irony: The French majority elected him. He simply shows everybody “de manière décomplexée” what this French ‘Republic’ is about.

Why should he resign? He works hard and accepted/accepts gifts. Did he ever say it was immoral to accept gifts?

And, of course, you may criticise Sarkozy. So do I (!!!) But is it all his “fault”? He has found and still finds approval among your fellow citizens.

At the bottom line, the problem is and has been the political system – not Sarkozy, although it is difficult to draw the line because he embodies the system so well.

DOMINIQUE ON KAREN:
WRONG. The truth is, you HAVE always awarded the status of King to your presidents! But the former presidents were much more humble (careful), knew how dangerous it might have been to show off their power! So they operated – or enjoyed life – secretly, and you trusted them as reasonable, democratically elected leaders. Sarkozy says: Look, now you may see!! We – the presidents – have always been this way (joggingly or not, wine drinking or not…).

We foreigners all love France! This is such a beautiful country. And the criticism expressed on this blog shows so much witty interest in your country. There is far less need to “defend” France than you might think.

PS: I believe that democratic and social thought in France is distorted, but that is a different topic.

[Dominique]

Hé hé, rocket! you found me!

Always the same old letist jealousy! Remember! we want what we don't have...and are just jealous!

[Terry]

Thinknoworpaylater (what a pretentious name):

I'm American and I have read Foucault. His thoughts are interesting. In my opinion, though, his writing is not very compelling. But, then again, I don't usually find the writing of communist(former communist whatever) manic depressive, LSD using (French Tim O'Leary) sadomasichists very compelling.

Thinknow, have you ever read Ayn Rand? I highly recommend "The Virtue of Selfishness".

[Robert Marchenoir]

Azloon:

"If all frenchmen wear these t-shirts, presumably this includes the leftists who will jump up and down."

No no no. I ventured that one Frenchman out of two wore a NYPD T-shirt (that's from Marchenoir Inc.'s own reputable statistics department).

The other one is a leftist.

The numbers do add up. Seems like a pretty watertight theory to me.

(Well, if you really want to split hairs and get into some Derrida-like deconstruction, there are probably a lot of American-bashing French leftists anonymously lurking into McDonald's to chomp on cheeseburgers when they think nobody's watching; but let's keep it simple and neat for the moment, shall we?)

[Johnny Foreigner]

I gather he also wipes his bum. We see the man sweating but not reeling off the Andrex. Why is this? What is he hiding? He only has two hands. Left or right? We should be told.

[Dominique]

azloon :

"the french posters here seem to want to make a serious intellectual inquiry into it's phenomena. over here would call this discussion "mental masturb*****."

And some call the french "arrogant"? ... Let me remind you that Charles Bremmer made the article.. More seriously, i don't think that criticizing the public manipulation by the media regarding the president's hobbies is a mental mastuxxx. I think it is a very important practice in a democracy.

"i am surprised that a number of folks (french) express genuine offense at sarko's behavior."

Well, let me remind you that it took our predecessors 200 years to get rid of this unbearable behavior : it did cost Marie Antoinette her head! I don't want to see it come back through the television window !

"i suspect it's his politics they (you) don't like rather than whether he jogs in public or not."

Well, i made not secret about that, eventhough he obviously will be less rightwing than expected! I might even be positively surprised. But the jetset behavior, pouark!

"i will suggest to him that he stop at the world's most elegant mcdonald's, in downtown versaille near the train station (the metro?). Sarko can chat with the teenagers who gather there after school to socialize and eat pommes frites (freedom fries). a wonderful photo opportunity for a man who understands modern politics, and may end up helping to drag his country into the 20th century, despite all the naysayers."

What is modern about that? Versailles?

VisitorHK :

"I agree on the private life exhibition point, yet again: why not just ignore it? You call it propaganda. It is, maybe. But was it so much better that those who reigned before him hided those personal details so well? "

It was much better indeed. It was very appropriate. At least, we were not wasting our time and money about non events (for me, mitterand's illegitimate daughter was a non event). And i include myself! In those gifted years, i was not being agressed!

"I live in France. What is disturbing you, keeps me smiling, amused… - And it seems that many foreigners in France feel the same way in this respect as I do."

Good for you. If i was living in the US, i would also be amused by G.W.Bush and his unappropriate behaviors. If i was living in Russia, maybe would i also be amused by Putin claiming he is the only democrate on earth! But i am a frenchman living in France, and feeling concerned about France's political misbehavior.

"Sarkozy is generally referred to as King, Tsarkozy, etc. – But he didn’t change or even create this system that allows him to be who he is. "

So what? The system is not the problem. Many presidents used it before. And so will he. Thank god, this will not change the constitution.

"Why should he resign? He works hard and accepted/accepts gifts. Did he ever say it was immoral to accept gifts?"

Of course it is immoral. It is called "abus de pouvoir". A little like the Monica Lewinsky affair in the US.

"And, of course, you may criticise Sarkozy. So do I (!!!) But is it all his “fault”? "

Of course it is : acceting gifts from industry beacon is a big moral fault.

"DOMINIQUE ON KAREN:
WRONG. The truth is, you HAVE always awarded the status of King to your presidents! "

Absolutly not! You are mistaking a "king" with a "powerfull president". It is true that our president is powerfull. But he is no king. Once gain, if he believes so, it is a moral fault.

Go to Wesminster to see what a King/Queen is about. Thank God, the Elysée palace is not Versailles! And the son of Sarko will not be president (unlike in the US were they clearly have dynasties : the Kennedys, Bush, now the Clintons). Am i the only one who remember what is the status of a king? Kings are born that way!

"But the former presidents were much more humble (careful), knew how dangerous it might have been to show off their power! So they operated – or enjoyed life – secretly, and you trusted them as reasonable, democratically elected leaders."

You are mistaking "someone's" power to the "president's" power: it was not "their" power! it was the "president"'s power. Very different! About enjoying life, why should'nt they? I hope they do. That's not my concern. just don't make a political spin about it!

"Sarkozy says: Look, now you may see!! We – the presidents – have always been this way (joggingly or not, wine drinking or not…). "

Giscard did play football and was playing accordeon before Sarko had his bac! Come on, this is not what we are talking about. We are talking about the manipulation of the public by the media! Let's be serious!

"We foreigners all love France! This is such a beautiful country. And the criticism expressed on this blog shows so much witty interest in your country. There is far less need to “defend” France than you might think."

well thank you. But i am not defending France, as i believe it does not really need me! I am just expressing my views and criticizing the president, as i believe we are still allowed to do so eventhough some foreigners (as you say) see no reason why we should!

I believe we are here somehow talking of what make the difference between anglo saxon coutries and, let say, france. This is why we do not anderstand why clinton had problems with Lewinsky, and why you do not anderstand we are complaining at Sarko's nouveau riche's behavior.

PS: I believe that democratic and social thought in the UK & USA is distorted, but that is a different topic.

[Monika]

TERRY:
"Right wingers believe in hard work to get ahead. So they run from Point A to Point B. By contrast, leftists always want to do the minimal amount of work possible-so they leisurally walk from Point A to Point."

That's a bit of a carricature, isn't it? Otherwise I don't understand how on Earth the Soviets managed to be first in space.

Btw. the article was very much amusing, thanks, Charles.

I think it is as ridiculous of those who critizise Sarko for his jogging as much as Sarko who makes a show of it ...

[Tara_Lane]

I mistakenly assumed that anyone posting would think how ridiculous it was for this even to be a topic. I can't stand running, personally, but my husband and father are both addicts who are much easier people to be around when they have recently run (and showered, thank goodness.)

I can understand the complaints that the French simply don't want to see it being covered in the media, but the complaint that he simply shouldn't do it at all is the weirdest thing I've heard in a long time. Cultural differences, yes?

To Terry: Completely agree with your assessment of Foucault and recommend Rand, also.

[azloon]

DOMINIQUE;

of course, you are correct about the american bloggers here making a bit of fun of france, it's new president and how he is being received. it's much more fun taking potshots at a foreign culture that musing about how depressing are les folies de bush.

my versailles suggestion to sarkozy is to further enhance his modern image (a la clinton) and to annoy his detractors (like you). incidentally, do you have knowledge that the mcdonalds i spoke of fallen on hard times -- is it not the elegant place i remember from 10 years ago? si ce n'est pas, c'est dommage.

(ok that's enuf -- i am about to exhaust my trove of french words)

[Daniel Strohl]

DOMINIQUE,

The correct spelling of the name of one of our "gloires nationales" is "de Gaulle". I am sorry to have to teach a teacher ...

More seriously, Dominique, you should realize that we are now in 2007. You should try to adapt your ideas to the evolution of the world.
It is unlikely that the world will adapt itself to your ideas ...

[Valentin]

"Go to Wesminster to see what a King/Queen is about. "

The Queen of England doesn't have the discretionary power to pick ministers and the prime minister all by herself, she hasn't got the discretionary power to name the CEOs at state owned companies.

"it was not "their" power! it was the "president"'s power"

Mitterrand used that power very personally, just as Bush does now. French presidents were kings in disguise, the function had actually been prepared for the return of the last Bourbon king in the 19th century; he was expected to win the elections, become president and then return the monarchy. That's why the presidency was on 7 years, that's why there is no limit on the number of mandates, why so many personal powers. Any educated French knows that. Dominique is trying to trick us.

"About enjoying life, why should'nt they?"

Someone already said that, Sarko was running way before he become president. He is just enjoying life - there's no manipulation of the media.

There is no moral fault to accept gifts, as long as he doesn't give anything in return !

Monica Lewinsky has absolutely nothing to do with the topic, whatsoever.

"we are complaining at Sarko's nouveau riche's behavior"

Only Dominique and a little gang of lefties are complaining. Our president has a record breaking approval rate.

"why you do not anderstand"

Old Dominique is definitely back, and fully so. Alas. No point in getting worked up about it tho', Rocket: that's life ! :)

Valentin

[Valerie]

The French media, overwhelmingly left-leaning and right-bashing, has decided to portray themselves as being coerced into playing Sarko's PR games. They cover Sarko and hate themselves for doing it, saying that Sarko has the media 'in his pocket', that they are no longer free. Heaven help them! Why don't they just ignore Sarko's little runs? What's stopping them from going down to the bistro instead? That's what they did when Mitterand was dallying around with his lover and fathering an illegitimate child... Not to mention all the other women he is rumored to have bedded.

Someone up above said past FR presidents were more humble than Sarko. ROTFL! Mitterand humble? DeGaulle humble? Chirac? Give me a break.

And WHY should Sarko be humble anyway? It's not a very FR trait and surely Sarko isn't going to get any reforms done by humbling the political resistance to death.

All presidents hope for positive PR and modern ones hone that image.

Does anyone really think that the whole Sego fad wasn't a pure product of her own PR campaign to present herself as the 'future of France'? Of course, the press was in HER pocket and helped her in every way they could until they knew she'd lost and started publishing books about how awful she is.

[Susannah]

A couple of points in response to Dominique:

1. How does Sarkozy's jogging represent manipulation of the media when he's been doing it for years, years during which no one thought to write articles about it? He's just doing what he's always done. If the press turns out to watch him now that he's president, well, he's not forcing them to.

2. How do the Cecilia stories represent manipulation of the media when Sarkozy keeps trying (and failing) to stop those stories? He hasn't been pushing her forward since 2005, when the marriage went pear-shaped -- ever since then, he's been doing everything short of illegality to keep her *out* of the papers, not to get her in them. She isn't propaganda, she's an unending PR crisis, or near-crisis. The papers keep covering her anyway, for reasons of their own -- she sells papers. Some of your compatriots are evidently not so high-minded as you are, and like reading this stuff. :)

3. It really is unfair to demand that Sarkozy not call Cecilia's daughters "his" daughters. If I understand correctly, Cecilia's been living with him since the girls were 2 years old and 6 months old -- he's the one who brought them up, not their biological father. He's probably closer to his step-daughters than he is to his own sons from his first marriage (if, as I assume, they were raised by their mother). He's raised the girls for 20 years -- it's a bit unrealistic to insist that he can't call them his daughters.

4. As an American, in honor of the 4th of July, I just have to say: I quite like kings.

[VisitorHK]

SUSANNAH :
I totally agree with you.

VALERIE:
To call anybody “humble” in French politics was wrong. You’re right. “careful” or “abiding by the rules, i.e. people’s expectations” would have been more appropriate. Yes, the French do not expect humbleness from any leader.

DOMINIQUE:
Just to get back to the essential elements in here: You are concerned about France’s (Sarkozy’s) nouveau riche (mis)behaviour. Doing so, you represent a French minority.
You say that a) the system is not the problem, b) moral questions are of concern and c) that Sarkozy isn’t the Queen. –

(a) If there wasn’t a problem with the system, there would be no problem. The system should be self-regulating by the division of power and independent, controlling bodies. If there is a power concentration that is not controlled, there is a problem. If the media isn’t as free as it is supposed to be, then the freedom of press is questionable.

(b) If Sarkozy’s behaviour is what you consider immoral, then have an audit performed on him. He won’t sentence himself.

(c)I think TERRY explained the question ‘Is the French president a monarch, yes or no’ very well. I personally do not mistake Sarkozy for a King. The media by doing so caricature his status and exceptional power within France. This is most of all a French problem.

As foreigners we don’t have a problem with Sarkozy’s private jogging but he appears to hit a nerve within France. He disturbs some French idea of who a president is supposed to be. To work out and sweat might not be what is expected of him. There are many who approve of it though, so WHY make it an issue?

People – even the French – are much more concerned with Sarkozy’s politics than with his exercising habits, but philosophers need to be in touch with some sensitive nerve; otherwise nobody would listen.

[Daniel Strohl]

SUSANNAH,

Compliments, well done. And regards for your "fête nationale".

And Dominique should keep busy himself with politics, not with gossips.

But I hope that he abstains himself from politicking at school, not of course with his fellow teachers, but with his students. The school should be "apolitique" as well as "laïque" - I am not sure that it is always the case ...

[Christine]

VALENTIN
Dear Valentin, you don't change (sigh)
A philosopher, in my view, is someone who thinks about how the world works, and tries to make people think. It just does not seem to me that Finkelkraut or BHL (they are the same to me) really do that. They are way to occupied to appear on television in order to perform as tv labelled "intellectuals".
I thought everyone knew that, but apparently you don't. For a discussion about Finkelkraut's philosopher status, you should have a look at the french wikipedia "discussion page" on Finky...
As for contemporary philosophers, you have people like: Marcel Gauchet, Luc Ferry, Michel Onfray, Luc Boltanski... way less mediatic (except Ferry because of his political action), way more interesting.
This for your personal culture.

THINKNOWORPAYLATER
You are mistaken, Foucault for example is widely read in the United States.
And I might be mistaken, but this blog seems british to me.

[pouet]

The image of Sarko climbing the stairs of the Elysée palace, wearing a short, is rather odd. But I don't think it deserves much attention.
Though, reading this blog, makes me think that Charles was quite relevant to do this post: it rises cultural questions.
It's also fun to read some bloggers having intelectual highs, writting about jogging highs.
Maybe, one can talk about blogging highs?

I would rather like to focus on the responsability of France in Rwanda genocide. I was stunned after reading about this in Le Monde.
Maybe Charles is about to do it?

VISITORHK
"Yes, the French do not expect humbleness from any leader"
I do expect humbleness from leaders.
Btw, Sarko used the word many times. I don't think he is.
But except Mother Teresa, I don't know many people who are completely humble. I assume that Bush or Blair behave like they were, but I don't think they are.

CHRISTINE
"A philosopher, in my view, is someone who thinks about how the world works, and tries to make people think." That's a quite personnal definition of philosopher.
To me, a philosopher is someone looking for truth through reason.
I think that Valentin's criterias are not so bad nowadays (since the death of Ricoeur and Lévinas) Maybe you're questionning the quality of the philosopher but it's another topic.

[Dominique]

VisitorHK :

"Doing so, you represent a French minority."

So what? does it mean i am wrong? The political message from you is clear : i am wrong because i am the minority? nice view of democracy..

(a) If there wasn’t a problem with the system, there would be no problem. The system should be self-regulating by the division of power and independent, controlling bodies. If there is a power concentration that is not controlled, there is a problem. If the media isn’t as free as it is supposed to be, then the freedom of press is questionable. "

Wrong (unfortunatly): no specific independant controlling body ever stops the press from self censorship and self fascination for stupid things. Remember the US medias befor the Irak war 2003? The US was supposed to have a free press... No specific body can ever control friendships and networks. Same in any country (Blair with the Sun & Murdoch, Bush with FoxNews and the US vice president with the compagny that gets all the contracts ...) That's called "the dark side of lobbying".

"(b) If Sarkozy’s behaviour is what you consider immoral, then have an audit performed on him. He won’t sentence himself. "

what does an audit have to do with moral? There is no moral standard. Moral is a personnal thing. Unfortunatly, not everyone shares mine.

"(c)I think TERRY explained the question ‘Is the French president a monarch, yes or no’ very well. I personally do not mistake Sarkozy for a King. The media by doing so caricature his status and exceptional power within France. This is most of all a French problem. "

Once again, i don't complain his constitutionnal power, i complain his jetset behavior. That's a "Sarko" problem, not a french problem.

"As foreigners we don’t have a problem with Sarkozy’s private jogging but he appears to hit a nerve within France."

Once again, i don't complain him jogging. But as he makes a spin out of it, he deserves a backlash.

"People – even the French – are much more concerned with Sarkozy’s politics than with his exercising habits, but philosophers need to be in touch with some sensitive nerve; otherwise nobody would listen. "

So do I. And Finkelkraut did rightly touch a Sarko's sensitive nerve.

Daniel Strohl,

Remember that the french revolution is tought in primary school. We explain why the King/Queen were both liked & disliked...

The "phénomène de cour" is very interesting.

Susannah,

"1. How does Sarkozy's jogging represent manipulation of the media when he's been doing it for years, years during which no one thought to write articles about it? "

That's called "phénomène de cour". They are all following the light, without even noticing that they expect something in return. You are being naïve. Sarko is the result from the media barnum (Bouygues TF1 + Bolloré polls). Of course they have something in return : they have access to the president. Make no mistake : these people started to make friend with Sarko only when they discovered he might be powerfull one day. There is no such thing as friendship in politics nor in business.

"2. How do the Cecilia stories represent manipulation of the media when Sarkozy keeps trying (and failing) to stop those stories? "

That's part of the buzz. I don't say Sarko manipulates. I say we are being manipulated. I say he is part of the buzz and should extract himself from it in order to protect the president's function. If he does not, the function will be damaged sooner or later.

"3. It really is unfair to demand that Sarkozy not call Cecilia's daughters "his" daughters. "

Once again, words do have a definition. Then he should say step daughters. It is always this manipulation habit.

"4. As an American, in honor of the 4th of July, I just have to say: I quite like kings."

Good for you! Too bad your fellow citizens did not tell it before that 4th of July in 1776. France wouldn't have helped the US getting rid of the english king if they liked it so much! that's probaly why you often vote for dynasties. You may even vote for a former first lady next year! After the dynastic democracy, here comes the marriage democracy. Be carrefull, you'll loog very soon like Argentina with Evita and Nestor Kichner's wife.
Not quite so in France, we have the bad (good?) habit to cut king's & queen's head off!!

And you know what? Ségo was very much into that thing!

[christopher muir]

One has to admire the apparent modesty, at times, of the healthy-looking Vladimir Putin. The BBC once showed him humiliating a seasoned judo opponent by simply confusing the bewildered man with unpredictable footwork. (Yes indeed, symbolism at work here!) Recently I searched the internet to once again seek out Vladimir's physical prowess. I didn't find much that was available. So, I guess he does his judo in private and doesn't seek publicity regarding this demanding activity. Does Vladimir engage in le footing? He might, but like so many things in Russia, it would probably be done privately behind lofty walls. And he does seem to be on a continual high.

[VisitorHK]

HELLO DOMINIQUE,

You seem to be really into this here. Your views definitely keep the discussion going. That’s interesting. I learnt that you are a teacher. My father was a teacher, too, and I know from experience, that teachers who are so used to explaining their knowledge and views to their students do tend to need some extra explanation…

My statement on you being part of a French minority was in no way judgemental!

You suggest a lack of press intelligentsia in France. Is it that? You talk about a dark side of lobbying and French immorality. It is your constitutional right to express your thoughts but why is it that you wish so very much that others would share your views?

If I were French, I would still complain about the president’s constitutional power, and only that – at this point.

Did Finkielkraut (FinkiElkraut!) really hit Sarkozy’s nerve or just some Frenchmen’s nerve?

[Pierre]

"As a correspondent, you try to avoid reinforcing national stereotypes but sometimes the French don't let us."

"If you support la République's values of solidarity and equality, you do not jog."

"Amazing. Only in France. You'd think this is a parody, but no: people actually argue seriously about that."

"is french thinking, perception really in such a staightjacket that sarko's morning jog is a subject for serious discussion, criticism??"

"One last point. Jogging may be American. But jogging in matching tourquoise socks certainly is French. "

"The French army has a long history of running. So why get excited about Sarko?"

It is so easy for you Mr Bremner and your bigot readers, to bash French behind your screen.

P.S. : I will not be published, as usual, but I don't care.
[Thanks Pierre. But I'm not aware of any of your comments having been refused in the past. CB]

[Maggie G]

..."It really is unfair to demand that Sarkozy not call Cecilia's daughters "his" daughters. " -- "Once again, words do have a definition. Then he should say step daughters."

Dominique,

First you object quite strongly every time someone refers to Mitterrand's 'illegitimate' daughter, then you turn around and insist that Sarkozy must refer to HIS daughters as 'step-daughters'.

Seems inconsistant to me.

[terry]

Monika:

You said.

That's a bit of a carricature, isn't it? Otherwise I don't understand how on Earth the Soviets managed to be first in space.

Yes, it was a bit of a caricature. That was the idea. The soviets were in space first because there germans were better than our germans.

Tara: Glad to hear you're a fellow Rand fan. I find many lefties read Marx or Foucault etc, but few have dared read their counterparts Friedman, Hayek or Rand.

Pouet said:

To me, a philosopher is someone looking for truth through reason.

I agree with your definition. Unfortunately, Foucault didnt really believe in reason. I dont know much about the "philospher" in this article. His thought process seems broken to me.

[thinknoworpaylater]

TERRY Im not a socialist or a communist but I do think you should consider sociological critiques of capitalism. It is not a perfect system (o.k. nothings perfect) but a critique is necessary unless you want to accept it all and go to sleep.... further yeah the fourth of july and your braindead president whose policies in Iraq have been highly destructive has now dishonoured America (yes I care about your culture) by reducing Scooter Libbys penalties which has been widely condemned in the States. Tara: Ayn Rand, that amateur philosopher and incompetent novelist? you must be joking. Lets have more evidence that you have actually read any Foucault. Discourse theory? Yes of course I know that Americans have read Foucault. But they are mostly in the Literature-arts faculties not in business and administration. D Strohl Reification here we go again. The human world is a construct of human beings. Even Ayn Rand understood that though in my view she came to the wrong conclusions. Marx thought that the point of philosophy was to change the world (The human world) and as I said even Ayn Rand thought that was true otherwise she would never have written the trite stuff she produced. Yes I confess I am a Brit. Is this a disqualification? I chose the signature thinknow when I began reading these blogs before the french elections. I had in mind the arrival of Thatcher in the U.K. and the consequent problems especially in Higher Education. Seen it all before - you know? In fact I think Sarko will be able to do less than he has promised mainly because unlike Thatcher (who had eleven years) he will have less time to prepare the ground. Thanks anyway for your comments - this site is always interesting - and thanks Charles for your texts.