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Nicolas Sarkozy Risks Revolt With US Holiday
The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 8-4-2007 | Henry Samuel

Posted on 08/04/2007 10:56:29 AM PDT by blam

Nicolas Sarkozy risks revolt with US holiday By Henry Samuel in Paris Last Updated: 2:29am BST 04/08/2007

Nicolas Sarkozy risked horrifying the historically anti-American French establishment yesterday by choosing to spend a two-week summer holiday in New Hampshire.

Wolfeboro is not far from President George W Bush's family estate in coastal Maine

The French president, who has already drawn howls of protests for his unashamedly pro-Anglo-Saxon stance, spurned his homeland and the Francophone destinations favoured by his predecessors when he arrived yesterday in the select lakeside town of Wolfeboro, north of Boston.

The choice of an American destination was seen by some as proof of his desire to bolster Franco-American ties sorely strained by the invasion of Iraq.

"Mr and Mrs Sarkozy are on holiday at the invitation of friends in a house situated two hours' drive from Boston. They went there as a family on a regular flight," said an Elysée spokesman.

Mr Sarkozy, 52, his wife Cécilia and their son Louis are reported to be staying in a luxurious villa owned by Mike Apple, a former Microsoft executive, which costs £15,000 a week to rent. The residence has a private beach, a marina with room for four boats, a spa, private cinema and video gaming room.

Wolfeboro is not far from President George W Bush's family estate in coastal Kennebunkport, Maine, sparking suggestions yesterday in the French press that the two leaders might use the opportunity to get to know each other, perhaps going running together. Both are keen joggers.

Like Mr Bush, the French president is teetotal - another source of irritation in wine-producing France. "It would really be astonishing if the two men would not benefit from this to meet each other," said Le Parisien.

Mr Sarkozy, who has been pictured wearing Manchester United and NYPD T-shirts, is seen as a breath of fresh air by American conservatives who loathed his predecessor, Jacques Chirac.

Mr Chirac's refusal to back an allied invasion of Iraq in 2003 sparked nationwide anti-French sentiment epitomised by the line "cheese-eating surrender monkeys".

Like many food outlets, the cafeteria at the New Hampshire State House, then dominated by Republicans, briefly renamed its French fries as "freedom fries".

But the expense of the trip was already raising questions. "Who will pay?" asked René Dosière, a Socialist who has studied the budget of the Elysée, pointing out that the cost of the two-week holiday, including flights, would come to more than his official annual salary.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bush; french; revolt; sarkozy
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Are we still boycotting the French? I'm thinking about buying another set of Michelin tires.

The ones I bought in 1998 are about due for replacement.

1 posted on 08/04/2007 10:56:34 AM PDT by blam
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To: blam

I keep hearing how French people don’t like this guy. Judging from election results, they must be a minority.


2 posted on 08/04/2007 10:58:48 AM PDT by squidly
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To: blam
Are we still boycotting the French?

I think we've gone from "Boycott" back to "Disdain".

3 posted on 08/04/2007 11:02:52 AM PDT by Mad_Tom_Rackham (Elections have consequences.)
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To: squidly

Actually, it is probably the same “media, artistic, social and academic elites” that detest our “Cowboy” in the White House.


4 posted on 08/04/2007 11:03:59 AM PDT by zerosix (Native Sunflower)
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To: Mad_Tom_Rackham

I’ve throttled back from “pure loathing” to “hatred”. I’m considering revising that to “intense dislike” if Sarkozy comes through on some of his promises.


5 posted on 08/04/2007 11:06:09 AM PDT by Philistone (Your existence as a non-believer offends the Prophet(MPBUH).)
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To: blam
"...staying in a luxurious villa owned by Mike Apple, a former Microsoft executive..."

With that name, he probably quit 'cause he couldn't take the kidding anymore.

6 posted on 08/04/2007 11:09:57 AM PDT by LibFreeOrDie (L'Chaim!)
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To: squidly
Nobody likes him because he is to popular.
7 posted on 08/04/2007 11:11:09 AM PDT by bilhosty
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To: blam

Yeah - I got rid of Goodrich for Kelly. Then I traded the car and got stuck with Yokohama.


8 posted on 08/04/2007 11:11:35 AM PDT by Chi-townChief
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To: blam

Too bad, the UK has no gonads.
It gave up its UN security council seat, and its future,
to Germany, unlike France.
So maybe this heralds UK’s whining exit.


9 posted on 08/04/2007 11:11:36 AM PDT by Diogenesis (Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum)
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To: blam

Wolfeboro is a nice place.


10 posted on 08/04/2007 11:11:48 AM PDT by Brilliant
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To: Philistone
I’ve throttled back from “pure loathing” to “hatred”. I’m considering revising that to “intense dislike” if Sarkozy comes through on some of his promises.

LOL. What's it gonna take to get you to "tolerate"?

11 posted on 08/04/2007 11:15:48 AM PDT by Aria (NO RAPIST ENABLER FOR PRESIDENT!!!)
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To: Chi-townChief
Yeah - I got rid of Goodrich for Kelly. Then I traded the car and got stuck with Yokohama.

Yokohama makes great tyres. A heck of a lot better than Michelin.

12 posted on 08/04/2007 11:20:01 AM PDT by Alter Kaker (Gravitation is a theory, not a fact. It should be approached with an open mind...)
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To: Brilliant

Tourist trap. Bills itself as the “Oldest Vacation Destination in America” or some such.


13 posted on 08/04/2007 11:21:47 AM PDT by Past Your Eyes (Criticize me if you must but just don't circumcise me any more.)
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To: blam
Wolfeboro is on Lake Winnipesaukee. One of my favorite movies, "What about Bob?" with Bill Murray, was shot there.

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/

14 posted on 08/04/2007 11:22:34 AM PDT by NotJustAnotherPrettyFace
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To: Alter Kaker

My experience as well.


15 posted on 08/04/2007 11:24:17 AM PDT by DeaconBenjamin
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To: Philistone
Well, the majority of French elected Sarko, so I am back to pre-2001 levels...Amusing, in an annoying sort of way.
16 posted on 08/04/2007 11:25:43 AM PDT by ishabibble (ALL-AMERICAN INFIDEL)
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To: Alter Kaker

Japanese, though - I try to avoid them, Chinese, Korean, and German whenever possible.


17 posted on 08/04/2007 11:28:23 AM PDT by Chi-townChief
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To: Pride in the USA

I love this article so much I want to marry it.


18 posted on 08/04/2007 11:28:27 AM PDT by lonevoice (It's always "Apologize to a Muslim Hour"...somewhere)
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To: blam
At least he has the guts to defy public opinion and do what he wants. How many American politicians vacation where they will offend the least amount of people? How many stick their fingers in the air (ala Clinton), and choose the place where they look the best (Clinton, was it Wyoming?), or a place that is free (Clinton, just about everywhere)?

I hope he has a great time.SmileyCentral.com

19 posted on 08/04/2007 11:28:48 AM PDT by CremeSaver
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To: Philistone

I’ve throttled back from “pure loathing” to “hatred”. I’m considering revising that to “intense dislike” if Sarkozy comes through on some of his promises.

I COULDN’T AGREE MORE...


20 posted on 08/04/2007 11:35:19 AM PDT by PanzerDeutscheschafferhund
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