Sarkozy in Washington as France rates his six month score

Barely back from a rescue mission to Africa, Super Sarko has dashed off to Washington to save the Bush administration. That may sound a stretch, but not if you have watched the whirlwind of chutzpah that Nicolas Sarkozy has displayed in the six months to the day since he won the French presidency.

Yes, six months already, so France is pausing for breath in his absence to take stock of the Sarko-revolution and wonder how long the hyper-president can keep up his manic act.

It's hard to remember that only last May, Jacques Chirac still presided as a near invisible monarch while a Prime Minister governed a disgruntled country with a cabinet of ministers. Since then, Sarko has blown up the old system. He runs everything himself, calling the players into the Elysée Palace or leaping aboard his Airbus to solve every crisis. Government has been relegated to supporting cast.

France Soir newspaper calculated today that the "omni-president" has flown 128,000 kilometres (80,000 miles) since taking office in mid-May. He added a few today with a slight detour to Brittany on his way to Washington to try to quell a revolt by fishermen over fuel prices.

With Zorro (Sarko's new nickname) out of the country again, François Fillon, his long-suffering Prime Minister, is trying to remind France via the media that he exists. Six months into his reign, Sarkozy's extraordinary need to star on every front has begun to grate. Eyes roll when he pops up on the news with his daily bout of trouble-shooting. Groans greeted his decision to award himself a 172 percent pay rise last week. His bizarre verbal and physical tics have become grist for comedians. He was not helped by Cécilia's decision to walk out and divorce him last month. 

Yet his citizens are still giving him the benefit of the doubt. An Ifop poll on Sunday (for JDD newspaper) reported that 55 percent would vote for him now -- compared with 53 who picked him in May. A second Ifop figure bodes trouble for the president who was elected on a promise of new prosperity. Fifty-nine percent do not believe that their personal lot has improved since Sarko's promised rupture with the past.

Sarkozy has done pretty well in fulfilling his policy promises so far. He has cut taxes, loosened the 35-hour week, tightened up immigration, and started trimming the civil service. He has promoted a green revolution and put France back on the map abroad. He has in particular taken credit for the mini-treaty that has replaced the defunct European Constitution.

The hard part starts now as he faces the long-awaited resistance from the conservative forces of the civil service, state sector industry and leftwing unions in general. All are striking over the next three weeks in a another replay of the classic French battle between the ruler and the street.

On a one-day stopover in Paris between trips yesterday, Sarko cast himself in a speech as a bold Bonaparte, undaunted by unfavourable odds.

Things have begun to change and it is just the beginning. I will not allow myself to be stopped by any conservative forces, and goodness knows, there are are a lot of them, he said.

If the President does not surrender to the strikes, he will have won a decisive battle and can proceed to reform the labour laws and pensions as promised. But with Sarkomania fading, opponents, including some in his own camp, see him faltering in the face of discontent over the continuing sense of economic decline. Other polls lately show little of the morale bounce that Sarko had hoped to inspire with his new-look leadership.

The Socialist opposition remains in a coma, giving a free run to the president, but his foes say it will still end in tears. Before long, they predict, he will explose en vol and crash in flames, victim of his excess.

Some readers have charged me with naive confidence in Sarko's ability to overcome the old resistance. The mood has certainly darkened since the spring, but I still believe that he will make it.

Comments

[Daniel Strohl]

"but I still believe that he will make it".

So do I. He has no choice and we have no choice - otherwise, we will continue to proceed on the downwards slope; and then, we could use the title of a book recently written by Claude Allègre : "La défaite en chantant" (the defeat while singing). It is a word play with "La victoire en chantant"

PS : Claude Allègre is a scientist, a prolific writer and a former Ministre de L'Education Nationale under Jospin. He was the boss of Mme Royal and in the above mentioned book, he made it very clear that he was not a fan of her ... He will leave soon (or has already left) le Parti Socialiste.

[Dominique]

Charles : "I still believe that he will make it. "

Will make what exactly?

- cut taxes : when does it start? it has not until now (at least not for me).
- loosened the 35-hour week : where?
- tightened up immigration : the 4th law in 4 years : he was doing it as interior minister, no need to be prsident;
- started trimming the civil service : witch one? not mine...
- Green revolution : do you have kickoff date? it did not even pass the parlement yet....and the parlement is UMP!
- put France back on the map abroad : it had disapeared?
- He has in particular taken credit for the mini-treaty that has replaced the defunct European Constitution : not passed yet; have you heard about Irland? So, only Sarko's spin here.

About polls, please give us a break! election is passed now for 6 months! now journalist make polls again just for the fun of it! please stop "redoing the match!". We are exhausted with polls that forbid us all to think by ourselves!

Sarko did not even change the separation of public and private life in politics... The fishermen go on burning tires as they have been doing for the last...200 years. The french president still belives he can decide for the tchadian justice eventhough he said that FrançAfrique system was over with him....Nothing new under the sun. I am sorry but Sarko did not change much yet!

Even about american friendship, his words are the very same as Chirac's ones : "we are friends but it does not mean we agree on everything". I feel that France did not change one millimetre toward the US, but the US did change a lot toward France and believe we are their best friends...All of this is spin emptiness.

The point i agree with you is that th major event is in the month to come : the strikes and the "regimes spéciaux de retraites". It is not done yet. After this, we'll can say if Sarko started something.

[rocket]

Charles

"The hard part starts now as he faces the long-awaited resistance from the conservative forces of the civil service, state sector industry and leftwing unions in general."

As of today you can add the Universities to "les mécontents"

I don't think he will change much. He may give the rhetorical appearance of change but Charles I don't share your youthful exuberance as per change in this society.

Zorro will negotiate in conflict to the middle as has always been done here when it was not just a flat out abandon. Payoffs to negotiate will come in ways we will never see.

I hope I am wrong but seriously doubt it.

[Michel S.]

"Other polls lately show little of the morale bounce that Sarko had hoped to inspire with his new-look leadership."

The NYPD, US Secret Service, and now Manchester United t-shirts are part of this new-look, I take it.

Charles, do you know if Sarko used to dress like this before he became President? i.e. whether this is a carefully cultivated pro-Anglo-American image or how he personally is.

[rocket]

Interesting Video just out

http://tinyurl.com/yrjm6u

Too bad Sarkozy stuttered at the end.

I think this guy is going to get into a fist fight one day.

[Dominique]

D.Strohl,

PS : Claude Allègre is a scientist, a prolific writer and a former Ministre de L'Education Nationale under Jospin who claims that global warming does not exist...

you forgot the final touch about allegre that says it all about his pseudo "scientist" background.

[Terry]

Manchester United.

I guess the French don't make good tee shirts.

I must have missed how Sarko is saving George Bush. Bush won't let anyone get in the way of ruining his presidency, don't worry.

[Daniel Strohl]

Dominique,

"pseudo "scientist" background".

This is your opinion and of course you are entitled to have it, as I am entitled to have my opinion.

Allègre is iconoclastic, therefore he has had problems with "le Parti Socialiste" which one could or even should call le "Parti Conservateur" when it comes to ideas (scientific ones included) and even more, when it comes to "avantages acquis" of the spear head (or "troupes de choc") of their electorate (retirement after 37.5 years of work at the SNCF and some others, after 40 for the ordinary plebeians, like you now and me since at least already 12 years ago), or to badly needed reforms in universities and schools.

The latter necessity is not questionable, at least if one uses objective comparisons (PISA) or may be somewhat more questionable comparisons (Chinese ranking of universities). I didn't hear the PS say really loud and clear that these reforms should be done, starting with the autonomy (or at least a reasonable level of it) of the universities.

Therefore, you are right, Sarko has still plenty of things to do - the first one right now is to make it clear that it is not possible to continue "avec notre culture de la grève" and with les votes démocratiques à main levée façon CGT pour lancer ou arrêter (le cas échéant) une grève. Ce type de démocratie me rappelle de forts mauvais souvenirs de jeunesse.

[John Gregory Flinn]

"Sarkozy has done pretty well in fulfilling his policy promises so far...."

He has certainly started in the manner in which he wants to continue.
But lets wait and see how they all turn out.

He's met some unplanned incidents that could blow him off course such as Chad, the price of fuel and some unflattering video footage.
The first two are not of his making (shall we blame Jacques?), but for example, if he mishandles Chad by getting ZA off the hook then every quasi-humanitarian issue (Pensions?) will go the same way.

The fuel price crisis in Brittany is all about administration tax-greed, and results from copying British methods for sequestering tax revenue from Oil consumption on the pretext of 'green politics'. It stems from 'advice' given to Chirac by Tony Blair in the late 90s, and could backfire on the 'green revolution' if Industries go to the wall.
Oil has gone from $60-odd a barrel then to $95 today, so this tax is raking in the money.
(Similar protests arose in the UK some years ago, but were settled by curbing the tax escalator).

Sarko's future may be all to do with 'events dear boy, events'!

[Daisy]

Someone should tell the little weasel that jet-setting and 'going green' are not compatible.

Sarko's policy is simple: follow the spotlight. He's pushy and crude. He is France's John Prescott and, mark my words, he will disgrace France.

CHARLES: what exactly did Koucher get in return for selling out his party and his principles?

[Daniel Strohl]

Dominique,

"me rappelle de forts mauvais souvenirs de jeunesse."

My bad ! Il fallait lire de "fort" mauvais souvenirs, ou alors des mauvais souvenirs très forts ...

John Gregory,

"and results from copying British methods for sequestering tax revenue from Oil consumption on the pretext of 'green politics'."

Sorry - if I do not dare to have any doubts regarding the efficiency of the British methods you mention, our Finance Ministry were at least as "good" as their British counterparts and are may be even better - they have started earlier and furthermore did not "curb the tax escalator" up to now, except a timid try under Jospin and Strauss-Kahn with the TIPP flottante - (il faut rendre à César ce qui appartient à César).

PS : TIPP = taxes intérieures sur les produits pétroliers, or something equivalent (I am no good at acronyms).

Our TIPP with associated niceties is said or believed to be between 70 and 80% on the gasoline end user price. Assuming a liter of unleaded 95 grade gasoline costs 1.33 € (this was the price this morning at the neighbouring gas station - yesterday, it was "only" 1.32 €), this makes a "worst case" tax return of 0.931 €, and a best case tax return of 1.064 € PER liter ! Quite handsome ...

Regarding "green politics" - hm !

[Julie D]

Don't be unkind to our Sarko. He has not done badly so far. He will defeat the dinosaurs I hope. And thank you Charles for summing him up so well. C'est pas mal pour un Anglo-Saxon

[azloon]

here is link to times of india piece on sarko visit to washington, posted not so much for the sarko news as for the photo of condolezza rice. :)

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/The_United_States/France_will_remain_open_to_Iran_dialogue_Sarkozy/articleshow/2523976.cms

[azloon]

"The trial has started: I am accused of being a friend of America," M. Sarkozy said last month. "OK. Don't torture me. I confess." -- from today's 'independent' story on the washington visit.

imo, a very funny and clever sarko quote which i hadn't seen before. it's worthy of a 'standup' routine (good humor is hard to find here, now that all our comedy writers have 'gone french' and are now out on strike).

the same story said his professed admiration for the u.s. is related to cecilia being an "americaphile" (their term). i guess she must have had a wonderful, libidinous hiatus from french political life during those 10 months in new york.

the story also mentioned sarko's father abandoning the family to go to new york. (what ever happened to his dad, anyone know?)

so hardly the stuff of which great admiration is made -- your father and your wife abandoning you for this Other Place. oh well.

CB, these ticks of sarko's you describe -- a little disturbing. were these present before his presidency?

and the poll about the french not thinking they are better off financially since sarko's election: give me a break -- he's only been in office 6 months. it sounds like many of the moronic polls we have here. when 25% of those polled say, "i don't know," and the question is, 'how do you feel today?', you really start to wonder.

[Joan H.]

I found Sarkozy's interaction with the fisherman refreshingly real and not at all 'disgraceful'. He was honest and emotional....not the suave politico. If his ministers are jealous....too bad. I like his style.....Sarko everywhere. Bravo!

[christopher muir]

Well, if you take all responsibility for the government's success and don't acknowledge your ministers' efforts, you can't just do a U turn and blame the team when things turn sour. Sarkozy may be acting out a dangerous ego-driven strategy. Too clever by half, perhaps?

[rocket]

From the Boston Globe website this morning

"Sarkozy's visit heralds better US-French ties"

Why not

"Sarkozy's visit heralds better US-French fries"

[whats up doc]

Maître Gilbert Collard, one of France's most médiatique lawyers is in Tchad to defend the members of l'Arche de Zoé, said this morning that Sarkozy's intervention will make their job even more difficult, by his "maladresse narcissique" (was how he put it). There are times when even a president should "la boucle"! for the good of his citizens "quoiqu'ils aient fait".

[John Gregory Flinn]

Referring to DANIEL STROHL's calculation that the government's windfall in fuel tax averages 1 euro per liter, perhaps this authorised 'theft' merits a title (see CB's previous blog).
How about - Sarko's Tip?

[whats up doc]

Sarko CAN shout his mouth off to the fishermen the way he did, he knows no-one is going to come and thump him - who'd risk it? They'd throw away the key.
There was nothing brave or refreshing about it. He looked stupid, a silly boy spoiling for a fight he knew he wouldn't get into. Same thing outside pubs every Friday - what's the difference?
The difference is he's a head of state.
Imagine a woman in his position, just for a moment, would you think of her that she was refreshing? Would you say, bravo? No, I think in the circumstances, she would have been labelled "fishwife" and PDQ.

[Thomas C]

Terry,

You suggest "I guess the French don't make good tee shirts."

I think that is very unfair! The "Paris 2012" Olympic T-shirts were very fetching, and there must be a whole stack of them stuffed away somewhere.

[Daniel Strohl]

Whats Up Doc,

"who'd risk it?

Exactly, that demonstrates that the man who shouted at Sarko and insulted him was an aggressive coward; there are a few of this style in one or another union (I am not speaking of the fishermen), where they are encouraged by their bosses, in order to demonstrate that "their union" is the most efficient. Of course, the objective is to try to increase their feeble and dwindling membership - this is not "syndicalisme", mais du marketing de caniveau. Et ce sont les contribuables qui paieront l'addition après les grèves.

[Daniel Strohl]

Thomas C,

Funny - but who has paid the bill ? Les contribuables parisiens ?

[Jim Wellington]

I am quite impressed (and rather stunned) by Sarkozy's open admiration and respect for Americans. It is such a stunning contrast with the intense anti-Americanism that has prevailed in recent years that I am somewhat hesitant to believe it - and I wonder if he will be "punished" by his fellow Europeans who obviously so not share his views!

Will his approval ratings go down because he is not anti-American? Opposition to Americans worked so well for Chirac and is so prevalent in Europe. How is this being received in France?

[Julie D]

I've just watched Sarkozy's speech to the Congress and it is truly amazing. Such a love song to America would have been unthinkable since, well, about 1776. He's going to be punished.

[JOHN CHUCKMAN]

Not much of an achievement, dazzling the American Congress.

About two-thirds of the US Congress resembles a conference of Soviet Apparatchiks.

A little charm goes a long way.

Just wait though to see how useful Sarkozy will prove.

He hasn't even handled his wife's announcement of a divorce very well.

Wait until he tries to implement his conservative views on the volatile French.

And the full impact of the revelation that he worked as an informal Israeli agent hasn't been felt yet in France.

I wouldn't expect much that is helpful or progressive on the world's problems from Sarkozy.

But Bush desperately needs a new mascot with Blair gone, with so few leaders in the world having any respect for him.

[Valentin]

"Such a love song to America would have been unthinkable since, well, about 1776"

Naah - only since the Suez canal story!

[Dominique]

Jim Wellington,

"Opposition to Americans worked so well for Chirac and is so prevalent in Europe"

Where have you seen this "intense anti-Americanism that has prevailed in recent years"?

Everytime i raise this question, i never get any answer. I am looking "french antiamericanism" everywhere but can never find it. "antiamericanism" can exist in the far left, just like in any other country, but not more.Nothing particulary "french" in this. If you compare to the rest of the world, you may well rewrite your sentence.

That's another spin from Sarko & friends. Just like the socalled nickname "Sarko the American" : no one calls him this way around here. That's something created by Sarko himself.

Julie D,

Sarko won't be punished because nobody cares about him loving Elvis Presley. Plenty of french people also do. Socalled "French Antiamericanism" was created by Chirac's opponents in order to make people believe his Gaullist policy was not "reasonable". But nothing french politics ever showed "antiamericanism". Quite the opposite indeed, as in it's history, France was probably the most pro america country on earth...No need to recall everything since Lafayette...

This "french antiamericanism" concept was mostly designed by those who were in favor of the war in Irak in order to make the french feel guilty about not supporting this war. Quite dishonnest indeed because it does bring emotional feelings into cold politics.

It is also used by those who can't stand critics on capitalism. As the US are supposed to be the most pro-capitalist country on earth, the US always claim that criticizing it is "antiamerican". Boring. More, as th US is the most powerfull country on earth, it does share the greatest part of responsibility that goes with power. Heralding only this is often translated in american language as "the world is antiamerican". Boring!

[Johnny Foreigner]

In his desperation to find a winning team, has the omni-president finally opted for the omnipresent global brand, coca-cola coloured Manchester United, just like every other 7 year old from here to Wellington and back? Promote the advisor who gave him the idea. Can we expect Alex Ferguson to take over BLP at Sport and Ed?

What was wrong with a good old Saint Etienne strip? Or does green make him look too much like Dopey?

What a daft man.

[Daniel Strohl]

Jim,

"How is this being received in France?"

May be it is a bit to early to give a clear answer. But I think that many of my compatriots are fed up with the stupid negative propaganda (inspired by communists/leftists and many journalists trying to boost their sales) we were submitted to during years. But this does not mean that the leftist propaganda will stop. It is well known that it is easier to demolish than to build. The a.m gentlemen will no doubt try to demonstrate this again with the pending strikes.

Mr.Fillon, the Premier Ministre, was interviewed this morning (or it was a retransmission from yesterday evening). Unfortunately, I didn't hear most of the interview. Nevertheless, I heard him remind that the US had given a strong assistance to France in WWI and WWII - it is always good to refresh leaking memories.

PS : however, most of the French still believe that the American intervention in Irak was an error. I belong to that category.

[Dion Per Sona]

Well, Johnny Foreigner, this sums it up : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTfdiHxYivA

Or more precisely, this is the one the kids sang for years (and years!), the preferred version if you will :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXFpnsmhJzQ

[Dominique]

D.Strohl,

Leftist propaganda? What about Sarko's propaganda?

propaganda has an other name : free speech.

[Duncan]

Re: Comments on Allègre

Allègre is a geologist and geochemist with nearly 40 years experience, over a 100 articles published, and who is respected professionally world-wide.
Concerning his views on Global Warming/ Climate Change, you have to take into account that science is a business as well, and that Climate Change/Global Warming has very quickly given a lot of funding to scientists who were pretty much in the financing backwaters beforehand.
They now have money and they do not want to lose it, so they need to keep public focus on the field...which does not necessarily lead to good science being performed.

[Johnny Foreigner]

In the past, when a French government has said "Beware America", it has never really meant "Beware of Big Macs" or "Beware of baseball", it has probably instead meant "I'm about to strike an arms deal". An Economist article on French Anti-Americanism some time back pointed to important fundamental comparisons between France and the US, which maybe engender a form of "sibling" rivalry from time to time. But when the Anti-US card is pulled out, by right or left politicians, in France (it's not just a leftie thing), it belies what's going on on the ground. Most French buddies mistrust the US government and are shocked by the bible bashing, but they all seriously love something about America, from its wide open melancolic spaces, to all the culture and lifestyle stuff (Jamel cites Richard Pryor as a guru, just one e.g. of many; meanwhile budding French artists go misty-eyed about the idea of a US exhibition). The popular imagination tends more to forget their were British soldiers at D-Day than any American absence in their history (e.g. Savary's Zazou, Savary's troupe was so wooden, it was a big relief to everyone when Alan Hoist arrived to kick ass). Even the Bush-hating Parisian intellectual lefty enthusiastically cultivates friendships with similar Americans. You can still dislike a foreign government and love its people. And the French left and right and in-between most certainly do.

[Little Big Horn]

"How is this being received in France?"

Imagine the US president singing "France I Love You Soooo Much" at the French Assembly, and begging to be ally N°1. What would you think of him? I'm pretty sure that US citizens would like to send an ambulance waiting for him at his return on US soil. Now you've got the answer as far as Sarko is concerned.

He speaks for himself. He reminds me Pierre Laval who, in his free speeches (Lily ;-)) used to sing the eternal alliance between a collaborating France and the great Nazi Germany, for the Jews and a few others' sake. He truly believed in what he was saying. Hopefully not everyone: he ended executed for high treason (it's a scandal you can't say whatever you want in this country, imo).

To Conservative readers: I'm not saying Sarko is Laval (no need to leave me endless argued comments), it was just an image.

Remember this: Sarko isn't a statesman, but a salesman. He doesn't represent the state, the people, the country, but has been elected to deal an ideology (à la mode nowadays). As a neo-Conservatives, his job is to enforce its ultra-liberal believes. It's not difficult for him to seduce an American audience (you don't preach converted people), who are by the way easily impressionable by any kinds of power. And Sarko has the glittering power (a very high pressure Karcher).

For that reason, his speeches cannot be taken seriously, in France, in the US too. He's just to French politics what a Johnny Hallyday is to la chanson française. He has a big mouth to mesmerize uncultured and dumb brains (Johnny's for instance), he has balls big enough to fascinate those who have not (Mireille Mathieu and a few females on this blog for instance), but unfortunately leaves anything else than wind behind him, avec le temps va... He is in politics what stars are in the medias, if there's a difference anyway. An illusions's maker. Poor illusions.

The USA should start to worry with this poodle culture, that is not worthy of a noble country by the way (don't the Americans have dignity or pride sometimes?), and dangerous (remember "Bin Laden poodle", or today, "Musharraf poodle"). You may truly believe in an English poodle for instance, it makes sense, Anglo-Saxons have a mind for submission. But a French Tony Blair? Even a French head of state can't submit his "own" country. So let's be serious for a while. Sarko, as "The American" ally (how lucky this administration is!), is just there to make the Americans dream (it's politics). But the French People isn't.

(Charles, any informations about Sarko's contract with mossad? CDD or CDI? 35 hours/week or more? Is being an informer for another state "working more to earn more" too?)

[whats up doc]

Daniel, re:" "syndicalisme", mais du marketing de caniveau."
Précisément, être quelqu'un qui invite à une bagarre dans le caniveau, c'est donc ça qu'il faut admirer chez le Président de la France?
It's precisely because he knows he WON'T GET a physical fight that he can talk like that.
Not very statesmanlike IMO.
Re the USA "State Visit" His citing Elvis Presley and John Wayne to the American Congress only demonstrates the paucity of his knowledge of American Culture - this isn't a criticism of either the actor or the singer, but it's as if Bush came to France and cited Louis de Funès and Eddie Mitchell as being representative of French culture (not that he would, he would't have the faintest idea of their existence). In one day NS showed himself to be a cowardly bully and an uncultured fool.
I had heard it was the custom in the US to give a hearty round of applause if not a standing ovation to visiting politicians even if you don't share their politics. Is this right??

[christopher muir]

Georgia's in trouble. It's time for Sarkozy's flight crew to check the coordinates for Tbilisi airport. They'll be landing there soon.

[whats up doc]

LBH I wish to declare my lack of balls and to put forward once again the idea that you are really BHL :)

[Albert]

Sarko will fail unless he tackles union power first. So the question is, Are things so bad in France that Sarko will risk taking the actions that Thatcher took in Britain at the beginning of the 80s? This led to devastating strikes and an attempt by the unions to topple the government. The government held out, won, caused great distress in some communities in the short and medium term, but transformed the UK for the benefit of most of its citizens in the long term. I doubt that things are anywhere near bad enough in France to risk it – the professional classes are clearly living the good life, with their long holidays and country homes (only a millionaire in England could afford a London apartment and a house in the Cotswolds, which partly explains why so many people buy property in France). People in the poor suburbs are excluded from the good life, but let’s be honest, they’ll remain excluded whatever Sarko does. Perhaps a French poster will explain the nature of the problems in France given that your transport system, health care system and standard of living are enviable?

[azloon]

[I had heard it was the custom in the US to give a hearty round of applause if not a standing ovation to visiting politicians even if you don't share their politics. Is this right??] What's Up Doc

you heard wrong. a high proportion of members of congress boycotted jacques chirac's address to a joint session in 1996. young 'pages' were recruited to fill the many empty seats. so plainly no tradition exists of giving a warm reception if it isn't heartfelt.

yesterday, the congress was totally, and perhaps a little naively, heartfelt in the reception it gave sarko. they loved him, and his words. he said all the right things for his audience. one member of congress was quoted as saying, "that was a speech ronald reagan could have given and it came from a french president."

i thought that because we have quite a few 'eurosnobs' on this board, who don't care for the exuberance of sarko, question his manner, motives, wearing apparel, hair spray and deoderant, i would offer a modest appraisal of sarko from an american viewpoint (in other words, WHY WE LOVE THIS GUY).

1. he is a shameless self-promoter. this behavior is in the great american tradition, and we can totally relate to it. in fact, we are most comfortable with these types (donald trump comes to mind).

2. he doesn't take shit from anyone: photographers in new hampshire and diane sawyer now know this. there has not been a scintilla of negative reaction by americans to either event. if anyone bothered to poll us, i am sure both would be judged as admirable by most americans (at least, by the common ones).

3. he likes elvis, marilyn monroe, martin luther king and proudly extols his admiration for them on the most public of all stages. this takes reall balls since he has to return to continent which has revelled in its disdain of many things american. he is not a fashionista of the european left. WE LOVE THAT, and admire him for it.

4. he is 'larger than life,' and doesn't mind letting everyone know it. he risks offending the eurowimps by proudly expressing his own values and beliefs, values, incidentally, that most americans share with him. we love people who love us, and admire us, we hate people who think they are better than we are, who wouldn't stoop to our level of barbarism, bad taste, and anti-intellectualism.

5. he is a master manipulator, witness his comments about u.s. needing to do more about the dollar and global warming. democrats in congress were on their feet cheering these mildly critical remarks. so he instinctively understood exactly what criticisms would actually find a an approving reception from at least some segment of his audience. americans love manipulative politicians. many of our greatest presidents have been master manipulators: teddy roosevelt, frankling delano roosevel, john kennedy, ronald reagan, to name but four.

6. sarko shoots from the hip. he doesn't worry how everything he says is going to be received. he isn't listening to a poll taker before he deciding what he can say or not say, do or not do. WE LOVE THIS.

in short, sarko is our ideal european president. he is like us, and he likes us. WE LOVE THAT about him.

so, sarko, welcome to the u.s. you are an admirer in an era where many from your part of the world are questioning us. you remind us about what is good about us.

you can come back anytime and we will reenact the lovefest, i promise. we love you and we're not embarrassed to say so.

p.s. Litttle Big Horn -- your reaction is so disgustingly predictable i feel like vomiting. you represent all that we hate about europe -- eurotrash if you will. keep it up, and i promise, we will continue to hate you.

incidentally if an american president went to france and enthusiatically praised the best of french values, we would hardly notice, and certainly wouldnt disapprove. we would figure the president had good reason to do this, and that it was in the u.s.'s best interests.

:)

[Ros]

Thomas C :
I do agree that the French make excellent t-shirts (& in good quality cotton too) but how do you explain why Sarko went to US with "Manchester United" on his chest - there must be a reason that out of the hundreds he must have in his wardrobe he chose THAT one?

[Albert]

Little Big Horn --

'You may truly believe in an English poodle for instance, it makes sense, Anglo-Saxons have a mind for submission.'

A lot of insults have been thrown at the English over the years, but I've never heard this one before. History has shown the opposite is true. Would you like to explain/clarify?

[john o'doe]

Watching TV coverage of the Washington visit I wondered why the Sarko babes Rachida Dati and Rame Yade were along for the ride. Maybe as jogging partners? Note that Cécilia was in New York at the same time. Is this just a coincidence? Finally, why was DSK looking so pissed off meeting Sarko? Faut-il toujours chercher la femme?

[Clayton]

Hi Charls,

I enjoyed checking out your blog. I'm a recent grad in Silicon Valley, and I've just started a company that is mapping the blogosphere to our world. I noticed that your blog has great content and a good-sized readership, and it would be great to have you on the map. Here is an example of a blogger in Georgia who's plugged in: http://www.verveearth.com/landing/#type=user&id=772. It can be fun to explore different localities.

It's an easy process to get on board, and I can be reached at clayton@verveearth.com for questions or feedback. If you resonate with the vision of painting a global canvas of voices, please give VerveEarth a mention.

Cheers! -Clayton

[whats up doc]

Azloon, thank you for that enlightening description of the USA's reaction to Sarkozy. Now, given that his speeches are written for him by the lugubrious Mr Gainau, are we to assume that HE is the Elvis, Marilyn, John Wayne, Martin Lu fan? and not Sarko, who as per usual when not boasting about himself, didn't look convinced of what he was saying.
Though I can hardly imagine "le nègre" (what they call a speech-writer in French) shooting from the hip! Have you seen this nerdy-looking guy?

[Dominique]

Azloon,

"we love people who love us, and admire us, we hate people who think they are better than we are"

Pfiouu! So, americans hate people who think differently then? "Thinking differently" is often interpreted as "they think they are better". According to you, the idea that americans are just the best should be heralded as an universal value? sounds like "USA über alles" to me!
Regarding Sarko vs American values, i did not know that America was sharing his DNA identity values...

Thank God, all of this does not really matter. Sarko did say what americans wanted to hear.

And as you say, incidentally when a french president goes to the US and enthusiatically praised the best of american values, we hardly notice, and certainly don't disapprove. we figure the president had good reason to do this, and that it is in France's best interests.

All of this is making big news in the US obviously. It's already gone here.

[azloon]

Dominique --

i was presenting what i imagine was the typical mindset of a congressman listening to sarko yesterday. it wasn't necessarily identical to my reaction, tho much of it is true for me as well. but, hating people who dislike us would be a bit of an exaggeration for me. i have no problem wit those who disagree with us. if they truly dislike us, i am not inclined to feel much warmth for them.

my comments about LBH, however, were from my gut, and my heart.

cheers

[rocket]

Clayton

Best of luck with your new endeavor

[rocket]

LBH

"He has a big mouth to mesmerize uncultured and dumb brains (Johnny's for instance), he has balls big enough to fascinate those who have not (Mireille Mathieu and a few females on this blog for instance),"

Are you getting any? Have you got any in your life? and do you think you will get any?

[rocket]

Dominique

"All of this is making big news in the US obviously. It's already gone here."

Oh really Mr. Know everything!

http://www.liberation.fr/actualite/monde/290038.FR.php

http://tinyurl.com/35yrmv

http://www.lemonde.fr/web/article/0,1-0@2-3232,36-976089,0.html

http://tinyurl.com/2lw5aj

http://www.rue89.com/2007/11/08/condi-rice-americaine-venue-dailleurs-la-bourde-de-sarkozy

http://tinyurl.com/2ull78

and then look at the number of articles if you can concentrate that long to double click.

that's just in looking for 5 minutes and copier coller.

Christ you only have like 5 newspapers in France anyway and like no circulation.