Bonjour 'Barak' -- France loves America again

It's been a while since France went so crazy over the United States. Decades at least and perhaps not since John Kennedy's days in the early 1960s.

The pleasure and admiration today over the election of Barack Obama is genuine. It's coming from all sides -- not just the editorialists, politicians and philosophers who have been spouting in the media.

President Sarkozy was so enthused that he dashed off an effusive note at 5am Paris time, about an hour after the result appeared. However, he didn't get the name right and scribbled "Cher Barak".

The man at the newspaper kiosk congratulated me with a broad smile. He knows I'm not American but Anglo-Saxon is close enough. Like quite a few people, he had stayed up very late watching the results.   

The picture above gives a flavour. It's from Rue89, a popular leftwing news site. The headline reads: This time the world says thank you to America. Le Monde, also on the left, was breathless about Obama's campaign. "What intelligence, what mastery, what sang-froid..." it said this afternoon. 

Or take the response of Jack Lang, a senior Socialist and long-serving culture minister under the late President Mitterrand: "The America that we love is back. This election will have the effect of an electric shock and will bring about a spiritual revolution." 

The goodwill is just as strong from Sarkozy's centre-right party. "The Americans have voted for the American dream," gushed Patrick Devedjian, a Sarkozy friend and leader of the president's UMP party.

As well as sending high-speed congratulations, Sarkozy is talking to Obama by phone tonight. Super Sarko is losing no time in seizing glory from Obama's victory, to the point of suggesting that the Democrat copied him. "America last night made the choice of la rupture", the President told the weekly Cabinet meeting today. La rupture -- a clean break or fresh start -- was the formula that won Sarko the presidency in the spring of 2007.

Sarkozy is pointing out to everyone that he spotted Obama early on, holding talks with him in Washington in 2006 when he was Interior Minister. Sarko's people say that Obama's team sought tips from them -- as John McCain's did too -- after his blitzkrieg election campaign last year. In Paris last July (picture below), Obama joked that he asked France's hyper-president what he was on. "He's constantly in motion -- but that's the way to be," said the Senator.

Obama has been tickled by the French passion for his candidacy. "It's strange that I am so popular in France," he told a group of tourists in Florida on Monday. "I hear that you have problems in the banlieues (ethnic estates) and that the blacks are demonstrating. yet I hear that all the French, even the whites, would vote for me" (Today's Canard Enchaîné reported the exchange).

Obama then joked about the way that McCain was accusing him of being that most un-American animal, a socialist.  "You have socialists in France. Tell me, is it a serious disease?" he asked.

The euphoria, which is partly driven by the imminent farewell to George W Bush, will soon subside. Some commentators are trying to calm the near hysteria, reminding France that Obama is still an American, not a Frenchman, and that there will be inevitable disappointment. But rekindled love affair with les Etats Unis is enjoyable while it lasts.

Thursday update: As French Obamania rages on, we learned today that the President-elect is part French and a descendant of royalty, no less. Le Parisien reports that one of his ancestors was Marin Duval, a protestant who fled to Maryland from Nantes during the religious persecution of the 17th century. Another was the 14th century King Jean le Bon.   

Comments

[Chris Divine]

I spent time in France under Clinton and Bush. There was a huge difference in the way I was treated. The worst was teaching in the banlieue during the invasion of Iraq. Boy did that suck!
I guess people are always guilty by association no matter where they are from.

[azloon]

i say: let anyone who wants to bask in the glow of Obama's victory. this was a victory of humanity over the forces of hatred and bigotry. so Sarko, please take any credit you want. no one will believe you anyway, but no one will care either. your reaction is predictable, and harmless.

last night was awesome for many of us here. it was our 'berlin wall' moment. a moment no one felt would ever come.

even the most conservative, republican politicians and commentators admitted to shedding tears and feeling pride that perhaps the u.s. is back to being a somewhat accurate reflection of our beliefs and principles. and it was, imo, a collective expression of relief from guilt and embarrassment that many here have felt over the past decade.

if the u.s. can't abide it's own well-known public creed, then we don't have much to offer the world. nor can we solve our own problems.

for a moment or two, all of us can feel that perhaps our example is worthy of admiration and even emulation.

[Born and Live in the USA]

Keep in mind it wasn't a landslide victory for Mr. Obama. As far as Europe is concerned, most of here still think France is world joke, the UK is a basket case, Germany is sinking, and Italy.... well what can you say.

[Mike D]

We have elected a weak man who speaks well!
Europe will rue the day the USA is seen as weak by the enemies of reason and rule of law.
Europe's freedom is closely bound to our (USA) strength.
Watch:
Russia will move to consolidate its position of strength...
Muslims in Europe (with middle east backing) will gain more political power...
China will expand its power base...
BARACK OBAMA will do NOTHING!!!!!

[Jay]

There was a lot of resistance to Barak in the States because of the way he was embraced by Europe. An overwhelming majority of Americans do not want our country to resembe Europe in any way. The fact that our President Elect is embraced so warmly by Europeans only strengthens half the US population to be vary wary of him.

[Frank Israel]

BORN AND LIVE IN USA,

As is custom here in the states during a contest where the losing side is having trouble maintaining a sense of their fate within the context of the competition may I point out to you the scoreboard. Yes, indeed perhaps here winning is everything. The point now is to accept your fate, maintain some composure and take your beating like a man.

[Michelle in Colorado]

"Born and Live in the USA", you do not speak for us.

[mauisan]

We voted for hope not fear, for change not status quo, for the passion of youth not the torpor of old. It si true, we voted for the American dream. We have shown the world that we Americans can reinvent ourselves, seek redemption for our excesses, and by our actions restore the dream that is America. Today, I am so proud to be an American.

[Pete]

"An overwhelming majority of Americans do not want our country to resembe Europe in any way."

Oh really?? And you get this data from where???

[Micheal]

as Russia sharpens it's claws to dig into Eastern Europe....

[Pete]

"An overwhelming majority of Americans do not want our country to resembe Europe in any way."

Oh really?? And you get this data from where???

[Pete]

"An overwhelming majority of Americans do not want our country to resembe Europe in any way."

Oh really?? And you get this data from where???

[Trey in Seattle]

Michelle in Colorado,
Thank you for so succinctly stating that fact. It's sad that at such an historic moment there are those so apt to want to disparage the new President and the rest of the world for celebrating. Electing Obama doesn't mean we don't still live with ignorance and closed-mindedness. It just means we're gaining ground on it.

[French Stephanie who lives in the UK]

After seing how Bush got elected in the first place, I knew the image of the USA to the world had been seriously damaged and then came 9/11... I never understood why the Americans relected Bush! America had become a joke to its opponents!
I cry of joy with Obama's success not just because he is black but because the Americans finally made the right choice! or maybe they didn't have any?..
Good luck Obama!

[French Stephanie who lives in the UK]

After seing how Bush got elected in the first place, I knew the image of the USA to the world had been seriously damaged and then came 9/11... I never understood why the Americans relected Bush! America had become a joke to its opponents!
I cry of joy with Obama's success not just because he is black but because the Americans finally made the right choice! or maybe they didn't have any?..
Good luck Obama!

[Steve in Chevy Chase]

Born and Live in the USA does not represent thinking Americans. There are many ideas to be shared across the Atlantic in both directions. For the record, Obama (as of now so you may need to add NC and MO) won 349 electoral votes. Aside from Reagan '84 that is the largest margin since 1944. That is indeed a landslide.

[Sylvia]

As an American I will support any President we have, but make no mistake half the county is NOT HAPPY. Some only voted for him because he is half black and they wanted to see and African American in office in their lifetime and that IS NOT the way to pick a president. He is not half the man John McCain is and I hope he has a great cabinet because he will need all the support he can get.

[Jeff]

To Frank Israel: Republicans always accept their fate with heads held high and respect to the opposition, it's only when Democrats lose do we hear about all the fraud and whining and crying. So celebrate, eat and drink now for tomorrow you will see what having a weak, all-talk no-action, USA will get the world into! Clinton was all talk too, and it culminated 9/11. Our military will be weaker, our country will not protect Europe as we do when Republicans are in power, so enjoy Europe.

[Lily]

Jay -

Your position has had a voice on this blog already. Honestly, I don't believe that the American people care all that much about what Europeans think of their preferences.

How many Americans can afford to travel to Europe after all and know what life is like over here?

It is interesting to read of serious, founded criticism of BaraCk Obama/his politics but such vague statements belong to yesterday.
I'm glad that 'resistance' caused by Europeans (?) has been overcome.

The new credo now is "come together", try to understand one another, find compromise, seek solutions, ... - It's the end to a "culture of bashing and fighting".
DIPLOMACY's the new word.

Frank Israel - has got it right!

And it's a joy to read azloon!

[JJ in Brooklyn NYC]

"Born and Live in the USA" is totally inaccurate. Obama won the popular vote and by a decent margin. George W. Bush NEVER won the popular vote. He only won the electoral vote and by a slim margin. Whereas Obama got over twice as many electoral votes. The Obama victory was a landslide compared to George W. Bush's. As for attitudes towards Europe, we love Europe. Only Americans who have never actually been to Europe insult Europe.

[paul]

Talking of socialists I thought François Hollande was very ungracious in pointing out with little enthusiasm Obama was only president of the US and not the world.
Once again Bayrou was much more effective.

[The new O-Day]

Born and Live in the USA doesn't represent most of us in the USA. George Bush came no where close to the victory that Barak Obama won, 349 electoral votes last night. Barak needed 270 to win, no question of who won at all, it was a landslide of electoral votes. The grand old party ways of thinking like we've seen in the past eight years just couldn't get fear to win over hope. The world won last night along with America.

[Daniel Strohl]

"You have socialists in France. Tell me, is it a serious disease?" (Mr.Obama)

Yes, it is a rather serious disease, of the nosocomial type. One may get infected already at school, at university, in the press, in some unions, in the civil service and so on. Reality and experience should be the natural antidote, but this has not worked greatly so far ... :)

[Roberto Ruiz]

Just remember: America is not only the USA. America is a continent that includes all countries from Canada to Argentina and Chile.

[Jennifer in Oregon]

Please remember that half of us did NOT vote for Bush, in either election! We are just as baffled as to how he got elected, which makes this election all the more sweet and victorious! I am proud to be an American again!

[SoCal Mama]

I remember being escorted through the Paris airport with my son's U.S. high school band/orchestra en route during their European tour, Spring 2004. There had just been anti-American riots and the Euro-based tour staff and airlines were fearful for the safety of the kids. I remember audience members walking out of their performances when "America the Beautiful" was sung (the band director removed that item from the program after that) What a wonderful change! No more cowboy diplomacy.

[Jake]

"guilty by association", Chris Divine? If you voted for Bush, entirely rightly so.

If you voted for Gore or Kerry, I wouldn't hold you as culpable, but then again the "democracy" practised in the US doesn't hasn't helped anyone much over the last 8 years.

[Ed Ryan]

If I knew the French loved Obama so much, I never would have voted for him. Someday maybe the French can restore American faith in them. Until then, I'll think of them as ungrateful cowards, who had the nerve to try to reestablish their colonial influence in SE Asia shortly after the Americans and British released them from an occupying force.

[Lena]

It's funny...I doubt a person named Barack Hussein Obama would have a chance of getting a job working in a supermarket in France. I supported Obama, but really, he is a person who internationally appeals more to Africans, Southeast Asians, and Middle Easterners. He shows that America today is less European, more global.

[Leo...]

It seems the DRUDGE Report crowd is back.

Please leave us degenerates (French and other Europeans, sorry Brits, Germans and others that you are lumped with us)enjoy our day.

[Mike in Austin]

People who maintained that this election wasn't about race are now saying how proud they are that a black man was elected. FBO. If that's Obama's only verifiable, subjective credential, then the Democratic party has doomed the USA. I'm ashamed of the way our Party handled this election.

[G. Nwafor]

I was born in Cameroon and now live in California, USA as an American and with very strong ties back home. I have voted in the last five Presidential elections. This win is one for the history books but reminds the world of our common humanity. As an immigrant as was Barack's father, I know my children have a TRUE chance in this land of opportunities. People like Barack come once in a life time. Lets seize the momment and make the best of it. Bonjour !!

[Romain]

Congratulations Azloon

I am so sad Mc Donald won't promote mooseburgers. lol

[Frank]

As an American, I couldn't be more proud of my country. I have traveled to Europe several times and have fallen in love with each country I have visited. I look forward to strengthening our ties with our cousins overseas!

[Niwot]

As a Coloradoan, a state that usually favors Republicans but in which Obama won handily, I'm interested by the comments of Europeans in reaction to Obama's election. Political analysts and voters here agree, Obama won the election because nearly all American voters thinnk George W. Bush is the worst President in American history. If Bush hadn't rigged the vote count in Florida in 2000, he never would have been President. And he played a huge role in causing our (and your) economic problems by spending $10 billion per month in Iraq and Afghanistan. We're all learning the hard way that we -- including our government -- cannot continue to put up with corrupt politicians and spend more than we make. The American people aren't as stupid or ignorant as most of the world thinks we are. We've just been so wealthy and had our own way for so long, we've had difficulty accepting the fact that we must ALWAYS be a good neighbor to our allies and enemies alike throughout the world, especially the free-market capitalist countries in Western Europe.

[Samantha]

Bravo mon pote, Barack!

[Beatrice]

What the Americans did yesterday was the best thing that could happen to this world in crisis. Here in France we don't have much hope in our government and expect the Usa to give us all a little hope in a better future. If only the same could happen here!!
Good luck to Mr Obama and the Usa people.

[orna, ca, usa]

Our beautiful nation, whose people come from every corner of the world, has grown up. We stand truly strong again- one out of many and finally, we come in peace. I am thrilled to be able to take pride in my country again.

[Scott in Ohio]

And France has done such a good job with their riots, Spain with their train bombings, and the UK with their young Islamic problems. Who gives a flying flip what Europe thinks? I live in Germany twice while in the service and it's a beautiful country. But even its courts are allowing Sharia law to take precendence in some instances rather than German law. Please don't tell me that I supposed to accept this to me multi-cultural. Europeans, mind your own business when it comes to our politics. "Born in the USA" was correct when he said that 'almost half of us didn't vote for the dirty Socialist Obama'. He will be President. God help us when he is 'tested' as VP-elect Biden promised and may He help Obama to make the correct choices throughout his term as President. With the Dems in power soon in the Senate, House and the White House, I want to see who the Libs blame when things don't go their way now. This...should be interestig. :)

[Lucy Finsterwald]

To Born and Live in the USA:
Actually, he DID win in a landslide victory, by the measures of the modern American political landscape. What's more, it's been 20 years since any president has won with an over 50% majority vote, and Obama won by 52%.

Given that these numbers are splashed all over the free-world today, and as such are not exactly hard to come by (nor are the headlines describing his landslide victory), the obvious ignorance of your opening line alone does enough to discredit the idiotic and hateful remarks you follow up with about other countries, but just in case, let me be clear:

You do no speak for America. What speaks for America is an election that took place yesterday that told the world that xenophobia and ignorance no longer represents our country.

(PS-- Nice post, CB. Glad I won't have to conceal my American accent next time I'm in Paris again!)

[Chris]

Micheal

"as Russia sharpens it's claws to dig into Eastern Europe...."

A peaceful civilian town is attacked without warning by the Georgian army. Russia, an ally of Ossetia, goes in to help the Ossetians, and expel the Georgions./Milliband/Bush...Russia has invaded Ossettia and must remove their troops.
The Americans plant missiles in the neighbouring country to Russia, Poland. When Russia complains this is somehow turned into "Russian Aggression".
Nothing Russia ever does is put in a positive light. Putin is usually described as some sort of dictator.
And there's the time when Russia put up the Ukraine's gas bill (by only adjusting it to the market value) after years of selling it below price. Of course Russia again was castigated by the West for this.
Question: How would Bush have reacted if the Russians had placed missiles in Norh Mexico?
Why all this Russophilia? Are we being prepared for somethingh?

[rocket]

Ok. I'm on the good post now folks!

France needs a model. It's evident they can't do things for themselves.

Thus the enthousiasme .

They still need the good ahead to dare.

[richard.jones]

@Pete, the best data source for this is the increased American demand for passports they clearly show no interest in anywhere foreign :-)

@Mike D. Sir, You might be right as we see Putin's puppet on a string Medvedev deploy missiles in Kaliningrad, which we all know is a Russian enclave in the EU.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article5090077.ece

It will not be an easy deployment: by land is impossible unless they are granted access through Lithuania or Poland; sea deployment is difficult as export from St. Petersbourg without infringing Estonian waters is tricky. Thus air entry is the only possibility and it will have to be by civil aviation craft as military overfly is not agreed.
Anyway, assuming deployment happens before Christmas (I expect Nov 28th), we may have a measure of the US and French relations and an example of Joe (the Mouth ) Biden's apocalyptic presage earlier than we initially thought.

[Lily]

Cartoon:
http://fr.news.yahoo.com/6/20081105/img/pen-l-amerique-d-obama-320e-a47de40abcc1.html

[george luthin]

Intellect, inspriation and grace. The French always have had good taste, but Obama is not about fashion. American's are everyman, everywhere...imperfect, esteem challeged and embarassed about the way much of europe percieves us.

I just read a news item announcing the Russian deployment

'of short-range Iskander surface-to-surface missiles on the borders of the EU states of Poland and Lithuania.'
Russia was deliberately attempting to test Mr Obama's mettle.”

Russia is underestimating the renewed American way, the Baaok Obama way…Obama will engage, but our first response will be with intellect, inspiration and grace, and if America has to put the hammer down, the world will ask us to. But first, we will talk, coax, and engage, and Russia will have to rethink the hard arm strategy. The world is changed, and America is back in it’s citizenship.

[David Powell]

Jay writes, '

There was a lot of resistance to Barak in the States because of the way he was embraced by Europe. An overwhelming majority of Americans do not want our country to resembe Europe in any way. The fact that our President Elect is embraced so warmly by Europeans only strengthens half the US population to be vary wary of him.'

The overwhelming majority of Americans have never even left America so how would they know?

And Michael Moore in 'Hey Dude Where's My Country' quotes many issues on ahich the American population, when polled, seem to want exactly what you say they don't want.

They want a National Health Service, they want gun control, they want reasonable pensions. In Europe these things are taken for granted, in the USA to mention them brings out the right wing neanderthals who inhabit your airwaves and own your press to deprive them of what they can only dream about.

And don't talk to them about holidays; they get really upset.

In fact most American seem to live the American Nightmare while a select few live the American Dream.

Stop knocking Europe, you may think the way we live is called socialism, we think it is called society.

[Toby]

I think it's nice that French love us again. And we, in turn, will smile politely at the French - who don't seem to realize that they haven't mattered much to anyone since 1789.

[JENNIFER IN VEGAS]

"Born in the USA" should rename himself Bitter in the USA. You do not speak for us, but rather the out of touch minority that lost last night. To McCain I must say he took the loss like a gentleman and acknowledged the importance of the event.

Last night we did not just elect the first black president. We elected a human being who is a thinking man's man. He will not embarass us on the world stage with his ignorance. We voted for an end to corporate greed and corporate welfare. We voted for women's rights last night. We voted for someone committed to educating our young, not testing them to death. Most importantly, we voted to bring our boys home from a war that we were lied to about and that we had no business starting in the first place. Obama isn't seen as weak. Weak people are weakminded. That was Bush Mr. Bitter. We now have a man who is bright and articulate and will use his brains rather than his brawn to solve problems. If you are a true American, which I am, you will support your president and wish him God's speed as he tries to undo 8 years of idiocy.

[John B in Philadelphia]

My wife and I have visited France many times, and I love their point-of-view, even when I disagree with their conclusions. I see them as siblings, and many Americans feel the same. As family, we scrutinize each other in order to define ourselves. When once asked directly by a French street vendor, "Bush ou Clinton?", I answered "Clinton", knowing that he simply wanted to gauge my American reaction to the question. No further conversation was necessary.

[JENNIFER IN VEGAS]

"Born in the USA" should rename himself Bitter in the USA. You do not speak for us, but rather the out of touch minority that lost last night. To McCain I must say he took the loss like a gentleman and acknowledged the importance of the event.

Last night we did not just elect the first black president. We elected a human being who is a thinking man's man. He will not embarass us on the world stage with his ignorance. We voted for an end to corporate greed and corporate welfare. We voted for women's rights last night. We voted for someone committed to educating our young, not testing them to death. Most importantly, we voted to bring our boys home from a war that we were lied to about and that we had no business starting in the first place. Obama isn't seen as weak. Weak people are weakminded. That was Bush Mr. Bitter. We now have a man who is bright and articulate and will use his brains rather than his brawn to solve problems. If you are a true American, which I am, you will support your president and wish him God's speed as he tries to undo 8 years of idiocy.