Sarkozy Throws Open His Arms to Bush, and the U.S.

The New York Times ^ | November 7, 2007 | ELAINE SCIOLINO

[Cincinna]

France’s president, Nicolas Sarkozy, burst onto the Washington scene on Tuesday, clearly reveling in his first official visit to the White House and asking the United States to embrace him as a friend.

Mr. Sarkozy has met President Bush several times, so the brief visit was a vehicle for Mr. Bush to reward him for his friendship and for the French leader to introduce himself and his team to official Washington.

Setting aside the recent anger he has shown because of his divorce, Mr. Sarkozy backslapped and hugged his way through the day. He also proclaimed his determination to be a reliable partner of the United States.

“I come to Washington to bear a very simple message, a message that I bear on behalf of all Frenchmen,” he said in a toast at a formal White House dinner in his honor. “I want to reconquer the heart of America.”

In his toast, Mr. Bush welcomed his guest with the words “Bienvenue à la Maison-Blanche.”

Earlier in the day Mr. Sarkozy, calling France’s opposition to the American-led war in Iraq “a disagreement,” told the French American Business Council: “I never quite understood why we had to fight with the United States. I never quite got it.”

Mr. Sarkozy arrived in Washington without a spouse but with some of the women who reflect the diversity of his cabinet: Finance Minister Christine Lagarde, a former chairman of a Chicago-based law firm, Baker & McKenzie; Justice Minister Rachida Dati, who has a Moroccan father and an Algerian mother; and Rama Yade, his 31-year-old Senegalese-born subminister of foreign affairs and human rights, whom Mr. Sarkozy calls his “Condi Rice.” (snip)

Mr. Sarkozy awarded the Legion of Honor on Tuesday to seven World War II veterans, including Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Democrat of Hawaii.

[JennysCool]

Y'know, I just wanna say one thing, in all seriousness: I feel sorry for you people that don't drink. I mean it, 'cause when you wake up in the morning -- that's as good as you're gonna feel all day. - Dean Martin

[burzum]

In the morning he personally yells at some striking fishermen, then he flies across the Atlantic, afterwards he decorates some WWII veterans, and then he attends a White House Dinner giving a speech! Long day!

[dennisw]

Vive La France!

[dennisw]

http://www.iht.com/articles/2004/07/08/sarko_ed3_.php?page=2

It says here Sarkozy drinks no alcohol but loves chocolate. Loves cycling so he has this in common with pres GWBush

[padre35]

Excellent cincinna, hopefully this trip to Unis Etats is better for Nicholas and more productive for both countries.

[padre35]

I noticed Ross Perot and Baseballs Tom Glavine on the guest list.

Hmm, and John Breaux and Mary Landrieu.

That tells me this visit is exactly what it is meant to be a goodwill visit, I’m glad Sarko came to America.

[Bringbackthedraft]

Robert Pence, of Pence Friedel Developers Inc., and Suzy Pence ........... Anyone know if this guy was the former head of the Atlanta FBI office?

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

Merci bien pour vos efforts.

[Redleg Duke]

This almost makes me glad that I took two years of French in high school!

[prairiebreeze]

Please remember that if an alcoholic could drink responsibly, they would drink responsibly. However, they can't, so they don't. The last thing that anybody with a drinking problem needs is a drink.

Frankly, I prefer the leaders of the western world to have clear and not muddled wits about them.

[prairiebreeze]

That was probably the Slimes effort at negating the positives of Sarkozky's visit.

Meanwhile, I simply must post this picture of our elegant and svelt First Lady Laura. Look at that stylish dress... Beautiful!

[avacado]

"This cannot be happening in my lifetime..."

Not only is it happening, but the NYTs is reporting it to us! It's a very odd feeling.

[Suzy Quzy]

OMG! That Broussard should be in PRISON!!! WHO invited that LIAR of ALL LIARS??

[PGalt]

Thanks for the ping. Thanks for the pictures. GRRREAT news!

[SunkenCiv]

Setting aside the recent anger he has shown because of his divorce

Boy, is that ever NOT what happened. "Setting aside his recent anger at a faux journalist who should be working for a checkstand tabloid" is more like it. Talk about professional backscratching.

[Cincinna]

Thanks for posting the beautiful picture.

Laura looks just gorgeous!

It is difficult to see in this photo, but the dress is actually a very deep, midnight blue, not black. Much more elegant and chic.

[prairiebreeze]

Yes, I noticed the color too!