An election has never kept the left from demonizing their opponents.
Good point.
However, Sarkozy is the best bet in a long time to restore a semblance of sanity and dignity to French society. We won’t know whether it’s too late until (unless) he gets a chance.
The clear, right-left runoff is good news for us. Bayrou would just have muddled what was at stake — and won. At least against Royal, Sarko has a 50-50 chance.