Royal's task looks difficult. Few french people leave room to change their mind. 88% of those questioned say their choice is final. 58% predict a Sarko victory . 1089 people questioned by phone after the polls closed.
Whom do I have to ping to get on the list?
Appreciate the encouraging poll. However, the left will be very determined to keep Sarko out. They will stop at nothing, because this man is a real agent of change. The combined vote for real change candidates (Sarko and LePen) was only 41 or 42 percent. Bayrou could do terrible damage if he endorses Royal. In addition, I don’t think we can count on LePen endorsing Sarko.
I was encouraged by Sarko’s and Royal’s speeches, which I just saw on C-SPAN. Sarko is dynamic and he fired up the crowd. He speaks very clearly and tightly — energetic and with a real message. Royal made what I thought of as a bad Oval Office address, speaking to the TV more than to the crowd, which seemed to lose some of its initial enthusiasm. She seemed hesitant, very cautious, and said basically nothing of substance. Of course, that doesn’t necessarily make her a loser, but it’s not necessarily helpful either.
That 88 percent certainty level is interesting too. Higher than I would have expected, and seems to be good news for Sarkozy.