Sarkozy is a rare find in French politics: a man with courage.
We can hope that he gets elected president.
Then finally we would again see the Glory that was France.
He certainly is, possibly because he's only half French.:) His father fled Hungary to escape the communists after WWII, settled in France and married a French woman. Sarkozy is widely considered Chrac's successor and Chirac acts somewhat jealous of him because of his popularity. It's interesting how the French media is blaming Sarkozy for the riots, trying to draw down his popularity in the polls. It will probably backfire on them, though, because Sarkozy only said what the majority of the French people are thinking right now. Chirac and de Villepin may force his resignation from the cabinet, using him for a scapegoat, but watch the 50 year-old Sarkozy come out on top eventually.
BTW, he's also regarded as the most pro-American prominent politician in France. He was really cat-called in 2000 for saying in public, "I love America!", and meaning it sincerely.