On both sides of the Atlantic, Mr. Chirac’s political obituary is being written in distinctly unflattering terms...
But in all of this, he has been proved right. By standing up to Mr. Bush and instructing his representatives at the United Nations to block a rush to an unprovoked war, the French president saved both the honor of the United Nations and the credibility of the international community...
Mr. Sarkozy’s admiration and knowledge of the United States appear confined to its economic growth rate. He opposes Turkish membership in the European Union in the most intolerant terms: “If you let 100 million Turkish Muslims come in, what will come of it?” And his Gaullism is tainted by a weakness for rightist catchwords — “nation” and “identity,” not to mention “scum” when referring to rioting minority youths — with which he hopes to outflank Mr. Le Pen...
Many of Ms. Royal’s socialist supporters manage to be both anti-American and anti-European: a Royal presidency would thus probably weaken the European Union without in any way strengthening France’s trans-Atlantic leverage — a leftist mirror of the agenda of neoconservative strategists in Washington...
With the departure of Jacques Chirac, we are saying goodbye to the last semblance of statesmanship from a generation that remembered where an unraveled Europe could lead. I fear we shall miss him.
Don't read the whole thing.
Just some snippets into the mind of a New York professor.
>>Mr. Sarkozy’s admiration and knowledge of the United States appear confined to its economic growth rate. He opposes Turkish membership in the European Union in the most intolerant terms: “If you let 100 million Turkish Muslims come in, what will come of it?” And his Gaullism is tainted by a weakness for rightist catchwords — “nation” and “identity,” not to mention “scum” when referring to rioting minority youths — with which he hopes to outflank Mr. Le Pen...<<
By Jove, I think he’s got it!
They all hate Sarko. The whole next two weeks is going to be “ABS” Anyone But Sarko, and “Sarko-Fasho”
The Left stands for nothing. They are just against Sarko. They have no real program and they will try to win by fear.
Now that they don’t have le Pen to hate anymore, I don’t think the same tactics will work against Sarko.
From the article: “Mr. Sarkozy’s admiration and knowledge of the United States appear confined to its economic growth rate. He opposes Turkish membership in the European Union in the most intolerant terms: “If you let 100 million Turkish Muslims come in, what will come of it?” And his Gaullism is tainted by a weakness for rightist catchwords — “nation” and “identity,” not to mention “scum” when referring to rioting minority youths — with which he hopes to outflank Mr. Le Pen...”
Which proves that Mr. Sarkozy is a wise man indeed. However, he had best not use his 100 Days to try and impose American-style labor law, or the resultant general strike and loss of Parliament will be the end of his effectiveness as President before he even starts. We shall see if he is wise enough to restrain himself on the labor law issue. If not: Boom! All over.