No Sex, please, we're French

Many people have commented that Le Pen's election rhetoric during the last round, echoes the sentiments they're feeling today. He was on the forefront.

Wow...the French presidential campaign is taking on the aspects of the American Republican party campaign...who is more patriotic or "How best to be French".

In a front page article in the NY Times by the main correspondent in France..Elaine Sciolino, Royal wants every French citizen to memorize the national anthem and keep a French flag in the house for Bastille Day.Each candidate proposes a bit of one-up manship until Le Pen himself complains that they have stolen his campaign.

What thinks you in this turn of events?? Surprised??

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/30/world/eu...amp;oref=slogin

Not among the people I've talked to... who are in general Parisians in their 30s and 40s and perhaps not representative of the French population at large. What they've told me is basically that they like Royal overall but just don't feel she has what it takes to be president; they don't want Sarkozy (some have shuddered in disgust at that prospect); and they don't want Bayrou but may vote for him just to try to keep Sarkozy at bay.



Hear, hear! I would love to see limits on both time and funds: Campaigning starts January 1 of election year and candidates can spend no more than x amount of dollars on their campaigns. I know, I know, I'm dreaming...

St. Germain: You're ever so right. HOWEVER - he appears to be the favorite THIS week. How I wish the US election campaigns didn't drag on so long. Perhaps, US candidates wouldn't be running for office rather than running the country???

Every day there is another artcile in either the NY Times or Washington Post on the upcoming elections:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/28/world/europe/28france.html

When we were in Paris last week it was interesting to hear the different viewpoints. One person we talked to liked Royal but thought Sarkozy was better for business. Another complained that if Bayrou was elected there would be chaos since he could not command a majority in the Assembly. Others said that while Royal may be less competent she was getting back to her earlier ideas and gaining in the polls and might pull out a victory. Whether you support him or not, most seemed to agree that Sarkozy has run a very bad campaign in the last few months.

Cigalechanta, your link is overwhelming. Cheers, Alex

Alex, someone responded to my post on another forum with this:

http://www.prospect-magazine.co.uk/blog/franceprofonde/

Rather interesting discussion (comparison?) of the 3 main candidates.
Greetings, Alex