I think your mistake is assuming that Sarko is anyting like Chirac. Different generation, different experience. The son of an Hungarian refuge,someone who fled the economic, religious repression of Communism, his experience is something Americans can relate to. Never forget that Hungary has always been the most conservative country in Europe. The Hungarian community in America, which votes almost 75% for the GOP is carefully following this election.
Chirac, aka Jacques Iraq, is a lifelong Arabist with close personal and financial ties to the repressive regimes in the Middle East like Syria and libya. His great close personal and financial relationship with Saddam explains more his anti-US policy than anything else.
Americans are smart enough to understand the arrogance and anti-Americanism of the French elite. They are also smart enough to recognize a friend and an ally in Sarko.
They don’t call him “Sarko the American” for nothing.
Yes, Sarkozy IS an ally, and will be the best ally America can reasonably expect to get in a French President.
But no, he is not going to follow America into Iraq.
Not ever.
So, do not get your hopes up.
He doesn’t applaud Chirac for Chirac’s stance on Iraq in order to brownnose the old man.
He means it.