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Washington Relief At Sarkozy Win
BBC ^ | 4-6-2007 | Matt Frei

Posted on 05/06/2007 2:56:20 PM PDT by blam

Washington relief at Sarkozy win

By Matt Frei
BBC News, Washington

Mr Sarkozy was invited to the White House last year

Privately, White House officials had been praying for a Sarkozy victory for months.

Publicly, they have not been this pleased and relieved by a European election result in years.

President George W Bush has already phoned to say well done and both Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill have welcomed his victory.

But in France, Nicolas Sarkozy has been described as "Sarko the American" by his opponents.

In the US, the insult becomes a badge of honour, which the new French president has earned with his unabashed admiration of American values.

He hammered home the point during a four-day book tour last September, which coincided with the anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks.

He spoke to firefighters in Manhattan and business leaders on Wall Street, showering admiration and respect on both, holding up the United States as an example, not an ogre.

In Washington, he was invited to the White House to meet President Bush - a very rare honour for a mere minister and an honour which has evaded President Jacques Chirac ever since he led the international opposition to the Iraq war.

The Sarkozy-Bush mood music could not be more positive, but there are a few discordant notes.

Nicolas Sarkozy opposed the Iraq war as much as President Chirac's handling of the diplomacy. He wants America to announce a phased withdrawal. He also opposes Turkish membership of the EU, which Washington favours.

Nevertheless, with Nicolas Sarkozy now in Paris, Angela Merkel in Berlin and soon, one assumes, Gordon Brown in London, the US feels that it has regained an axis of friendship in northern Europe.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: france; relief; sarkozy; washington

1 posted on 05/06/2007 2:56:23 PM PDT by blam
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To: blam
The New Face Of France Under Sarkozy
2 posted on 05/06/2007 2:57:31 PM PDT by blam
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To: blam

And he won in a near landslide. Maybe the Froggies are beginning to wake up.


3 posted on 05/06/2007 2:59:25 PM PDT by MIchaelTArchangel
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To: blam

The knives are out for President Sarkozy.


4 posted on 05/06/2007 2:59:59 PM PDT by Psycho_Bunny
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To: blam
Make no mistake, this is very bad news for Liberals. They do not want elected governments that are friendly to the US. For that matter, they don’t want unelected governments that are friendly to the US. This will be a bitter pill for them to swallow.
5 posted on 05/06/2007 3:00:03 PM PDT by elhombrelibre (Al Qaeda knows Iraq's strategic value, yet the Democrats work day and night for our defeat there.)
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To: blam

Somehow I cant think that there are too many Democrats celebrating, seeing how Royal’s views are so much closer to theirs.


6 posted on 05/06/2007 3:00:34 PM PDT by oakcon (America wants you: Run Fred Run!)
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To: elhombrelibre

Definitely.


7 posted on 05/06/2007 3:01:29 PM PDT by California Patriot ("That's not Charley the Tuna out there. It's Jaws." -- Richard Nixon)
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To: blam

I read that Hillary Clinton’s media minions went to France to help Royal to get elected.


8 posted on 05/06/2007 3:02:22 PM PDT by LdSentinal
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To: elhombrelibre

((((smirk))))


9 posted on 05/06/2007 3:02:24 PM PDT by tioga
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To: LdSentinal

oh, do tell :^)


10 posted on 05/06/2007 3:02:52 PM PDT by tioga
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To: blam

[quote] I know you’ve heard all about the fact that the world has turned against America because of George Bush’s imperialism, his opposition to the Kyoto Protocol, his tendency to torture terrorist detainees, his refusal to endorse “we-are-all-in-this-together” proposals like the International Criminal Court, and on and on. Because of him, Americans cannot walk around with their heads held high anymore. We know this because polls often show that people in other countries have an unfavorable image of America. And to many on the left, that’s a big problem. I always ask them why, and I have not yet heard one good answer. Not one. In fact, people are invariably surprised by my question because they’ve never really thought about it. It sounds bad at first (”everybody hates us!”), but the concern tends to vaporize once you think through it a bit. It’s just a popularity contest, after all, one that translates into nothing of importance. Nothing at all. Surprisingly, this point applies to our standing in Muslim nations as well. Popularity polls there, as elsewhere, just don’t matter.

By contrast, a different kind of poll — the kind that France just took — really is important. And that’s the kind of poll that shows America’s true standing in the world. If America’s standing really were so low, presidential candidates should be able ride anti-Americanism to victory. This should be especially true in France and Germany — the two most anti-American states in Western Europe (according to popularity polls, anyway).

With today’s election in France, the advanced industrialized democracies of the world (i.e., the G7) have all had a chance to weigh in since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Who won those elections anyway, the anti-American hysteric, or the pro-American supporter of the war on terror? Here is the scorecard:

Pro-American supporters of the war on terror:

United States (George Bush, 2004)
Great Britain (Tony Blair, 2005)
Germany (Angela Merkel, 2005)
Japan (Junichiro Koizumi, 2005)
Canada (Stephen Harper, 2006)
France (Nicolas Sarkozy, 2007)

Anti-American opponents of the war on terror:

Italy — (Romano Brodi, 2006)[/quote]
http://engram-backtalk.blogspot.com/2007/05/g7-national-leadership-election.html

What will the transnationalist lefties do? After the breakup of the USSR they’ve been taking their marching orders from the anti-American French.


11 posted on 05/06/2007 3:04:02 PM PDT by the Real fifi
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To: LdSentinal

And?


12 posted on 05/06/2007 3:06:01 PM PDT by James W. Fannin
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To: tioga

Hehehehehe, let them eat cake.


13 posted on 05/06/2007 3:07:31 PM PDT by elhombrelibre (Al Qaeda knows Iraq's strategic value, yet the Democrats work day and night for our defeat there.)
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To: blam
I'm pleased Sarkozy won.

But is France even governable?

Get ready for non-stop mass demonstrations and strikes, orchestrated by the left.

14 posted on 05/06/2007 3:08:49 PM PDT by JCEccles (“Politics ain’t beanbag” Finley Peter Dunne)
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To: the Real fifi
I guess the lefties will have to say au revoir Chiric you crooked rotten piece of $hit.
15 posted on 05/06/2007 3:09:07 PM PDT by mimaw
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To: the Real fifi

Shinzo Abe is now the PM of Japan.


16 posted on 05/06/2007 3:10:14 PM PDT by Norman Bates (Happy Easter!)
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To: the Real fifi
Very good points. The Kerry-Gore-Clinton-Reid Democrats would have us believe that politicians in Europe cannot win if they aren’t as anti-American as the Democrats. In fact, the Lefty loonies in Europe are fading in elections.
17 posted on 05/06/2007 3:11:06 PM PDT by elhombrelibre (Al Qaeda knows Iraq's strategic value, yet the Democrats work day and night for our defeat there.)
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To: blam
and soon, one assumes, Gordon Brown in London

We must, certainly, make every effort to get along with Brown. But I suspect it won't be easy.

18 posted on 05/06/2007 3:13:31 PM PDT by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
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To: blam
How ironic. America, instead of electing a leftist (Kerry) to side with the Europeans, the Europeans elect two rightists to side with America. And in France and Germany no less.

Moral of the story: Never believe the Drive By Media when they say the world hates America as much as the America hating leftists do. There is a silent majority that does not.

19 posted on 05/06/2007 3:13:34 PM PDT by HarmlessLovableFuzzball
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To: blam

Better “Sarko the American” than a cheese-eating surrender monkey.


20 posted on 05/06/2007 3:15:32 PM PDT by 3AngelaD (They've screwed up their own countries so bad they had to leave, now they're here screwing up ours.)
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To: the Real fifi

Israel NEEDS an election so they can join us.


21 posted on 05/06/2007 3:18:36 PM PDT by JohnBovenmyer
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To: blam

THE HANDSHAKE THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO DEFEAT SARKO



22 posted on 05/06/2007 3:18:40 PM PDT by Cincinna (HILLARY & HER HINO "We are going to take things away from you for the Common Good")
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To: Cincinna
Nicolas Sarkozy in quotes

Sunday May 6, 2007
Guardian Unlimited

The 35-hour week

"It will never be possible to stress enough the evil that the 35-hour week has done to our country. How can we retain this mad idea that by working less, we will produce more wealth and create jobs?"

Taxation

"We've got the highest taxes in Europe. France's problem is we're paying too much tax."

The English

"Do we ask ourselves why the English buy our houses in the Dordogne and the Périgord, in the Lubéron, in Savoie and in many other regions? ... I have nothing against the English, who are our friends, but it is not my ambition that the most beautiful villages of France become holiday resorts reserved for the British."

The man of action

"Certain people in France call me Sarkozy the American. I'm proud of it. I'm a man of action. I do what I say and I try to be pragmatic."

Immigration

"Who can't see that there's a clear link between the uncontrolled immigration of 30 or 40 years and the social explosion on our housing estates?"

"If people don't like being in France they only have to leave. We've had more than enough of always having the feeling that we must apologise for being French."

His reputation

"Why so much hatred [directed at me]? Perhaps it's because I say out loud what everyone quietly thinks."

On his suggestions that delinquent youths on poor estates were scum and should be cleaned out with a power hose

"I regret nothing."

EU expansion

"'I want an integrated Europe, in other words, a Europe that has borders ... Turkey is in Asia Minor."

23 posted on 05/06/2007 3:25:01 PM PDT by blam
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To: blam

At last! A Champagne toast to the winner!! (with a pile o’ French fries on the side...)


24 posted on 05/06/2007 3:26:05 PM PDT by LibFreeOrDie (L'Chaim!)
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To: blam

Where will Alec Baldwin move to now?


25 posted on 05/06/2007 3:27:08 PM PDT by mylife (God)
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To: the Real fifi
Pro-American supporters of the war on terror:

United States (George Bush, 2004)
Great Britain (Tony Blair, 2005)
Germany (Angela Merkel, 2005)
Japan (Junichiro Koizumi, 2005)
Canada (Stephen Harper, 2006)
France (Nicolas Sarkozy, 2007)

Australia (John Howard)

26 posted on 05/06/2007 3:28:38 PM PDT by blam
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To: LdSentinal
I read that Hillary Clinton’s media minions went to France to help Royal to get elected.

To Hillary a Royal win would have had even more significance than the usual victory for socialism. It would have set a precedent - Merkel (though by no means a leftist) , Royal, and thus................... Hillary. Yes, the world finally ready for female leadership.

27 posted on 05/06/2007 3:28:39 PM PDT by HarmlessLovableFuzzball
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To: blam

How could I forget the dear friend Howard?


28 posted on 05/06/2007 3:29:33 PM PDT by the Real fifi
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To: tioga; James W. Fannin

It didn’t go too well. Hillary’s election advice was being ignored as American tactics don’t work so well in France.


29 posted on 05/06/2007 3:29:37 PM PDT by LdSentinal
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To: blam

Wow. I thought the world hated “neocons”.


30 posted on 05/06/2007 3:30:13 PM PDT by HarmlessLovableFuzzball
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To: HarmlessLovableFuzzball
Say that again:

Never believe the Drive By Media when they say the world hates America as much as the America hating leftists do.

31 posted on 05/06/2007 3:30:47 PM PDT by blam
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To: LdSentinal

I too was hoping for your source. Thanks in advance...


32 posted on 05/06/2007 3:31:08 PM PDT by James W. Fannin
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To: LibFreeOrDie

Freedom Fries are now officially French Fries again.


33 posted on 05/06/2007 3:32:25 PM PDT by HarmlessLovableFuzzball
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To: the Real fifi

Don’t forget to throw Spain in the bad column now .


34 posted on 05/06/2007 3:59:51 PM PDT by Neu Pragmatist (Is Romney the next Reagan ? .... Perhaps ...)
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To: blam

So, France has a President-elect who is “American” and the US had a President-wannabe who is “French”...
The right is always right...


35 posted on 05/06/2007 4:14:28 PM PDT by citizencon
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To: HarmlessLovableFuzzball
Freedom Fries are now officially French Fries again.

LOL Bump!!!

36 posted on 05/06/2007 4:16:28 PM PDT by BradyLS (DO NOT FEED THE BEARS!)
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To: LdSentinal

Aha, whenever a Clinton tries to help, that person suffers. Hee hee. Keep up the good work, Hill and Bill!


37 posted on 05/06/2007 4:47:28 PM PDT by Marysecretary (GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL.)
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To: HarmlessLovableFuzzball
Never believe the Drive By Media when they say the world hates America as much as the America hating leftists do.

That's the truth. I'm reminded of the idiotic question posed by the MSM during the Republican Pres. Debate; “what do you dislike most about America?”

38 posted on 05/06/2007 4:48:05 PM PDT by 6SJ7
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To: blam

Publicly, they have not been this pleased and relieved by a European election result in years.....

Count me in on that....


39 posted on 05/06/2007 4:52:56 PM PDT by thinking
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To: elhombrelibre
Make no mistake, this is very bad news for Liberals. They do not want elected governments that are friendly to the US. For that matter, they don’t want unelected governments that are friendly to the US. This will be a bitter pill for them to swallow.

I'll believe a French President friendly to the U.S. when I see it.

40 posted on 05/06/2007 5:00:30 PM PDT by Non-Sequitur (Save Fredericksburg. Support CVBT.)
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To: blam
Watch the MSM, do a turn around in the next fews days....they will see this election as a turning-point, that politics has shifted to the right, and they realize they are politically out of step...
41 posted on 05/06/2007 5:01:35 PM PDT by thinking
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To: LdSentinal

I am sure her heiness has determined royal lost due to NOT following her advice! LOL


42 posted on 05/06/2007 5:37:05 PM PDT by tioga
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To: the Real fifi
Pro-American supporters of the war on terror: United States (George Bush, 2004) Great Britain (Tony Blair, 2005) Germany (Angela Merkel, 2005) Japan (Junichiro Koizumi, 2005) Canada (Stephen Harper, 2006) France (Nicolas Sarkozy, 2007)

Don't forget that wonderful John Howard in Australia. He was also re-elected in, I believe, 2004.

43 posted on 05/06/2007 5:49:12 PM PDT by hsalaw
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To: hsalaw

Oops. Already in #26 - I should read all comments before posting.


44 posted on 05/06/2007 5:50:13 PM PDT by hsalaw
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To: MIchaelTArchangel

How is 6% a landslide?


45 posted on 05/06/2007 5:54:41 PM PDT by krb (If you're not outraged, people probably like having you around.)
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To: the Real fifi

bttt


46 posted on 05/06/2007 6:48:27 PM PDT by Matchett-PI ("But there is honor among the thieves: it is called "political correctness." ~ Bob Godwin)
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To: blam

bttt


47 posted on 05/06/2007 6:51:47 PM PDT by Matchett-PI ("But there is honor among the thieves: it is called "political correctness." ~ Bob Godwin)
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To: blam

Any word from Jean Francois Kerry explaining this landslide mandate of a pro-America, non-socialist, non-elitist work horse from the voters at his european heartland?


48 posted on 05/06/2007 7:03:07 PM PDT by prairiebreeze (Too blessed to be stressed.)
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