A POLITICAL FORCE FOR GOOD?
By K.L John
Monday, August 11, 2008.
American Presidential hopeful Barack Obama was in Paris on his recent tour of the Middle East and Europe. Despite the brevity of his time there, he enjoyed an extraordinarily warm welcome from the French president, Nicolas Sarkozy.
During their joint press conference, CNN’s Christiane Amanpour was one of many to raise their eyebrows in surprise when Sarko referred to Barack Obama as his ‘friend’.
Now, on one level, it’s logical; the French and Americans have a very long history of friendship, largely based on them working together to antagonise the British (see the big ‘congratulations on your independence’ present the French handed the Americans; their prized Statue of Liberty). But the hugely popular Barack and far less popular Sarkozy sit at opposite ends of the political spectrum; presidential ambitions aside, what could those two possibly have in common?
Getting beaten by a woman (nearly)
Similarity: Unusually, both politicos came up against serious competition from a woman – and won. Sarko’s rival for the French presidency was Ségolène Royal, of the more progressive Parti Socialiste, who, like Hilary, would have been the first woman head of state.
Difference: Sarko beat Royal for the presidency, whereas Obama fought Clinton for the Democratic nomination.
Media attention
Similarity: Both Sarko and Obama faced very close competition amid an unusual amount of media interest in the elections – possibly generated by the ‘new’ look of the candidates – and a public ready for a new generation of politicians.
Politics
Big difference: One is considered the great hope for social justice, the other is the defender of the social status quo. Sarko is the latter. The candidate with a track record that got French folk registering en masse to vote for anybody else. Obama, au contraire, represents youthful reinvigoration, promising ‘change we can believe in.’
Political Experience
Difference: Sarkozy has been in politics for over 25 years. As well as President of the Republic, among his titles are Council Leader, Mayor, Minister (various portfolios), and Jacques Chirac’s protégé. Obama was elected to the US senate for the first time only four years ago; his rise within the Democratic ranks has been meteoric.
Personal life
Difference: Sarkozy and his second marriage’s issues garnered column miles in French dailies. Soon after the French presidency had been won, the pair split. A few months later, Sarkozy controversially married wife number three, a model, who then released an album. Obama is still on wife number one, and I don’t know them personally, but I just can’t see that changing anytime soon.
Style
Similarity: Both model themselves on iconic politicians: Nicolas Sarkozy is a huge fan of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, spin doctoring, media courting and all. His presidential campaign focused on his desire to liberalise the French economy on the British model (this was pre-Northern Rock and credit crunch remember). Barack Obama has been repeatedly compared to the late American President John F. Kennedy, widely considered a young, open-minded visionary whose presidency saw social change on a revolutionary scale.
Heritage
Similarity: Both Sarkozy and Obama are the children of immigrants. Nicolas Sarkozy’s full name is Nicolas Paul Stéphane Sarközy de Nagy-Bocsa. His father was a Hungarian immigrant who fled the Red Army towards the end of World War 2, and his mother came from one of Greece’s oldest Jewish families.
Meanwhile, Barack Obama Snr also emigrated; he was a Kenyan who moved to America for university education. Like Barack is in Kenya, Sarko’s apparently loved by the Israelis and France is currently embroiled in a new racist cartoon debate central to which is Sarko’s son’s engagement to a Jewish woman.
Biggest difference of them all:
Nicolas Sarkozy’s policies are not indicative of an empathy with new immigrants into France. He famously referred to rioting youths as ‘scums’ and promised to deport them, although the rioters were as French as he is. Interestingly, Sarkozy considers his background proof that French society is very inclusive, but that to be French emotional connections to heritage should be subsumed by one’s Frenchness.
Barack Obama on the other hand, has simultaneously and openly embraced his ethnic heritage and Americanness. This is undoubtedly easier in a nation proud of its immigrant status, but as an East African, it’s safe to assume that Obama’s dad was as unwelcome in the US, as Sarkozy’s maternal granddad was in Vichy France. He is therefore touted as ‘the first black’ president, though if elected he would be the sixth president of colour, according to research by C. Stone Brown and Dr. Leroy Vaughn.
Upon careful examination, and perhaps against the odds, Obama and Sarko clearly have a few things in common. As long as Obama gets elected – but doesn’t intervene in French domestic policy – this trip could well prove to be the beginning of a fruitful friendship.
© 2008
KL John is our Francophone expert. She is a writer and campaigner curious about international politics, trade and justice. She can be reached at kes@thenewblackmagazine.com
Please email comments to comments@thenewblackmagazine.com
Muchos Gracias for your article.Really thank you! Really Cool.
Hi there, the whole thing is going perfectly here and ofcourseevery one is sharing data, that’s in fact excellent, keep up writing.
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in truth was a enjoyment account it. Look advanced to more delivered agreeable from you! However, how can we communicate?
I really like your writing style, fantastic info, regards for posting :D.My blog :: weight loss goals
how to write a paper personal essay college essay writing service essay writing
I read a lot accutane work for back acne “No, I don’t feel any hostility. The riot was just not worth it, it was a provocation, I think. We have been living side by side for so many years; now this happens, on this day,” said one local man.
I value the post.Really looking forward to read more. Keep writing.
I think this is a real great article.Really thank you! Much obliged.
Really informative article.Really looking forward to read more.
Really informative blog post.Really thank you! Fantastic.
Great, thanks for sharing this article.Really thank you! Great.
This is one awesome article. Really Great.
Thanks-a-mundo for the blog post. Awesome.
I loved your article post.Much thanks again. Keep writing.
Hey there! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new iphone 4!Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts!Keep up the fantastic work!
Hi. Awesome! I’m really enjoy this. It will be great if you’ll read my first article on essayscambusters)
Aw, this was an exceptionally nice post. Taking a few minutes and actualeffort to produce a really good article… butwhat can I say… I procrastinate a lot and never manage to get anything done.
Hello my friend! I wish to say that this post is amazing, great written and come with almost all significant infos. I¦d like to peer extra posts like this .
Hey! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any problemswith hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing a few months of hard work due tono back up. Do you have any solutions to prevent hackers?
It’s difficult to find educated people for this subject, however,you sound like you know what you’re talking about!Thanks
Greetings! Very useful advice in this particularpost! It is the little changes which will make the mostimportant changes. Many thanks for sharing!
I loved your article.Much thanks again. Really Great.
stromectol for sale online – ivermectin 5 stromectol tablets for humans
Great, thanks for sharing this post.Really looking forward to read more.
Great article post.Much thanks again. Great.
purdue apartments rentberry scam ico 30m$ raised olympia apartments
Hi, everything is going nicely here and ofcourse every one is sharing facts,that’s actually good, keep up writing.
I do consider all the ideas you’ve presented for your post.They are very convincing and will definitely work. Nonetheless, the postsare very quick for beginners. Could you please lengthen them alittle from next time? Thanks for the post.
Hi there! I simply wish to give you a big thumbs up for your excellent information you’ve got here on this post. I’ll be returning to your blog for more soon.
I needed to thank you for this excellent read!! I certainly loved every little bit of it. I’ve got you bookmarked to check out new things you post…
I haven’t checked in here for some time as I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are good quality so I guess I will add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
Latest Jobs[…]Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a number of unrelated data, nevertheless truly really worth taking a look, whoa did one particular study about Mid East has got far more problerms as well […]
I loved your article. Much obliged.
There as certainly a great deal to find out about this topic. I like all the points you ave made.
zithromax generic name – zithromax 500 zithromax for sale
Thanks for the blog.Much thanks again.
Really enjoyed this blog post.Really thank you! Will read on
I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good.I don’t know who you are but definitely you’regoing to a famous blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!
Hey There. I discovered your blog making use of msn. That may be a very well written write-up. I’ll you should definitely bookmark it and come back to examine more within your valuable details. Many thanks with the publish. I will definitely return.
Looking forward to reading more. Great post. Cool.
I enjoy what you guys tend to be up too. Such clever work and exposure! Keep up the amazing works guys I’ve added you guys to my personal blogroll.
I truly appreciate this article post.Really thank you! Really Cool.
Usually I don’t read post on blogs, but I would like to saythat this write-up very pressured me to check out and do it!Your writing style has been amazed me. Thank you, very nice article.
I appreciate, cause I found exactly what I was looking for. You’ve ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye
I’ve been surfing on-line greater than three hours these days, yet I never discovered any attention-grabbing article like yours. It is beautiful worth enough for me. In my view, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you did, the web shall be much more helpful than ever before.
Aw, this was a really nice post. In concept I would like to put in writing like this moreover – taking time and precise effort to make an excellent article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and in no way appear to get something done.
Thanks , I’ve just been searching for information about this subject for ages and yours is the greatest I have discovered so far. But, what about the bottom line? Are you sure about the source?
Does your website have a contact page? I’m having trouble locating it but, I’d like to shoot you an e-mail. I’ve got some creative ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great website and I look forward to seeing it grow over time.
I have been browsing on-line more than 3 hours as of late, yet I never found any fascinating article like yours. It is pretty price sufficient for me. In my opinion, if all webmasters and bloggers made just right content as you did, the web shall be much more helpful than ever before.
I’m no longer sure where you’re getting your information, however good topic. I must spend a while learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for wonderful info I used to be searching for this info for my mission.
This is one awesome blog.Really looking forward to read more. Will read on
I am commenting to make you be aware of of the excellent experience my friend’s girl undergone going through your webblog. She came to find a wide variety of issues, which include what it’s like to have an ideal teaching style to have the mediocre ones smoothly know a variety of multifaceted matters. You truly did more than my desires. Thank you for imparting such valuable, dependable, edifying and in addition fun tips about that topic to Tanya.
Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.
You actually make it seem really easy together with your presentation however I to find this topic to be really one thing that I think I might never understand. It seems too complicated and extremely vast for me. I am taking a look ahead to your next publish, I will attempt to get the cling of it!
I have not checked in here for some time because I thought it was getting boring, but the last several posts are great quality so I guess I’ll add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
At this time I am ready to do my breakfast, after having my breakfast coming again to read additional news.
I absolutely love your blog and find the majority of your post’s to be what precisely I’m looking for. can you offer guest writers to write content available for you? I wouldn’t mind producing a post or elaborating on most of the subjects you write about here. Again, awesome web site!
Ꮋey there јust wantｅd to give you a brief headsup and let you know a few of thе images aren’t loading properly.I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue.I’ve trieԁ it in two different browserѕ and both showthe same results.
A round of applause for your blog post. Much obliged.
I really enjoy the blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Really Cool.
Howdy just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let youknow a few of the pictures aren’t loading properly.I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different internet browsers andboth show the same results.
Im grateful for the blog.Really looking forward to read more. Cool.
Great, thanks for sharing this blog post.Really thank you! Much obliged.
I really liked your blog.Really thank you! Much obliged.
Thank you for your blog.Really thank you! Great.
Thanks-a-mundo for the blog article. Really Great.
sawyer apartments millenia apartments apartments for sale in orlando
Very neat article.Really looking forward to read more. Cool.
Wow, great article post.Much thanks again. Really Cool.
Say, you got a nice blog post.Really thank you! Awesome.
Thanks for the post.Really looking forward to read more. Will read on…
I think this is a real great blog post.Much thanks again. Really Great.
This is one awesome blog post.Really looking forward to read more. Really Cool.
Really appreciate you sharing this blog article.Much thanks again. Much obliged.
เกมที่ทำเงินได้ไวต้องชูให้บาคาร่าเลยนะครับ แต่ละเกมใช้เวลาน้อยผู้คนจำนวนไม่ใช้น้อยจึงเลือกให้เป็นเครื่องไม้เครื่องมือทำเงินเพราะนอกจากทำเงินไวยังใช้ทุนน้อยด้วยด้วย UFABETก็เลยตามใจสมาชิกโดยรวมบาคาร่าทุกค่อยมาไว้ให้เล่นได้แบบจุใจไม่น่าเบื่อเลยนะครับ
I appreciate you sharing this post. Awesome.
wow, awesome blog post.Thanks Again. Great.Loading…
Great, thanks for sharing this blog post.Thanks Again. Much obliged.
I appreciate you sharing this blog post. Really Cool.
Thanks for sharing, this is a fantastic article.Really thank you! Cool.
Turoffnung Appenhofen, Tresoroffnung Appenhofen, Schlie?zylinder wechsel AppenhofenSchlusseldienst Appenhofen Schlusseldienst Leistungen Appenhofen Schlusseldienst Appenhofen
I loved your blog. Great.
Thanks again for the article.Really thank you! Really Cool.
Thank you ever so for you blog. Really Great.
Major thanks for the blog.Thanks Again. Will read on…
Thanks for another wonderful article. Where else may anybody get that kind of info in such a perfect means of writing? I have a presentation subsequent week, and I’m on the look for such info.
Good day! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good success. If you know of any please share. Kudos!
Right now it seems like BlogEngine is the top blogging platform out thereright now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?
vardenafil for sale – bayer vardenafil online vardenafil reviews
Thank you ever so for you post.Really looking forward to read more. Much obliged.
Aw, this was an exceptionally nice post. Taking the time and actual effort to create a great article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a whole lot and don’t seem to get nearly anything done.
I really like it when people come together and share views. Great blog, continue the good work!
Thank you for your blog article.Really thank you! Really Great.
You ought to take part in a contest for one of the best blogs online. cara memenangkan game tembak ikan I will recommend this blog
Say, you got a nice post.Really thank you! Really Cool.
that may be the finish of this post. Right here you
I am extremely impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself? Either way keep up the excellent quality writing, it?s rare to see a nice blog like this one today..
Post writing is also a excitement, if you be acquaintedwith afterward you can write or else it is complex towrite.
Im thankful for the article post.Thanks Again.
I value the article post.Really looking forward to read more. Cool.
Appreciate you sharing, great blog post.Really thank you! Keep writing.
I think this is a real great article post.Thanks Again. Want more.
Looking forward to reading more. Great article.Really thank you! Keep writing.
Awesome blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Cool.
Im obliged for the post. Great.
Our team of prognosticators have a history of delivering the public with winning selectionsfrom the gridiron.
What’s Going down i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve discovered It positively useful and it has aided me outloads. I hope to give a contribution & help different customers like its helped me.Good job.
wow, awesome blog.Really looking forward to read more. Cool.
I am so grateful for your article post.Thanks Again. Keep writing.
Really appreciate you sharing this blog.Really looking forward to read more. Much obliged.
An Ember In The Ashes Ending Further Education WalesMy blog pdf list
I really like and appreciate your blog post.Much thanks again. Fantastic.
In addition to the standard English soccer chants, supporters sing “One-Nil to the Arsenal” (to the tuneof “Go West”).
I cannot thank you enough for the post.
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a very well written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I will certainly comeback.
ivermectin tablets dosage ivermectin medicine
Very informative article post. Fantastic.
Thanks a lot for the blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Want more.
Thanks for finally writing about >Custom Design Playground Completedfor Gabriella Park
Great, thanks for sharing this blog article.Really thank you! Want more.
Thanks so much for the blog. Cool.
Im obliged for the article.Thanks Again. Want more.
Appreciate you sharing, great blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Really Great.
I really like and appreciate your blog article.Much thanks again. Keep writing.
Major thankies for the article post.Thanks Again. Awesome.
This is one awesome blog article.Thanks Again. Really Great.
This article will help the internet visitors for setting up new blog or even a blog from start to end.
Im thankful for the post. Cool.
Im grateful for the article post.Much thanks again. Really Great.
Major thanks for the article.Really thank you! Much obliged.
Hello everyone ! can anyone recommend where I can purchase Activfit?
Appreciate you sharing, great blog post.Much thanks again. Awesome.
Looking forward to reading more. Great article.Thanks Again. Really Cool.
Really nice pattern and wonderful written content , hardly anything else we need : D.
sulfamethoxazole Trimethoprim side effects trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole side effects
Utterly written subject matter, thankyou for entropy.
Y28k9u Piece of writing writing is also a fun, if you know after that you can write if not it is difficult to write.
Im thankful for the article post.Thanks Again. Much obliged.
A round of applause for your article.Thanks Again. Really Great.
Really informative post.Thanks Again. Will read on…
Thank you ever so for you post.Really thank you! Really Great.
Major thanks for the article.Thanks Again. Really Cool.
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an very long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear.Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say fantasticblog!Here is my blog post; coco coir substrate
ivermectin 50: generic stromectol – generic ivermectin
I truly appreciate this article.Really looking forward to read more. Keep writing.
A big thank you for your blog.Really looking forward to read more.
Muchos Gracias for your article post.Really thank you! Want more.
Muchos Gracias for your post.Really thank you! Really Cool.
Fantastic article post. Want more.
Hi, I check your new stuff on a regular basis.Your humoristic style is witty, keep up the good work!
When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment.Is there any way you can remove me from that service?Cheers!
These are actually impressive ideas in on the topic of blogging. You have touched some pleasant points here. Any way keep up wrinting.
This is one awesome article.Thanks Again. Fantastic.
A big thank you for your blog. Great.
Im obliged for the blog article. Want more.
Wow, great article.Really thank you!
It’s really a great and useful piece of information. I am happy that you just shared this useful information withus. Please keep us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
I truly appreciate this post.Thanks Again. Really Cool.
Thanks so much for the post.Much thanks again. Really Great.
Thanks-a-mundo for the blog.Much thanks again. Awesome.
Awesome blog article.Really thank you! Will read on…
Great blog.Much thanks again. Will read on…
Major thankies for the article post.Much thanks again. Great.
Im grateful for the blog.Really looking forward to read more.
Say, you got a nice blog post.Thanks Again. Keep writing.
Great, thanks for sharing this blog post.Thanks Again. Will read on…
Trực Tiếp Soccer Việt Nam Vs Lebanon. Coi Truc Tiep Bong Da. Futsal Việt Namcakhia liveNếu cứ đùa như cơ hội vừa tiêu diệt Everton tới 3-1 bên trên sân quý khách hàng
A round of applause for your blog. Great.
Wow, great article. Want more.
Hmm is anyone else encountering problems with the images on this blogloading? I’m trying to find out if its a problem on my end or if it’sthe blog. Any feed-back would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again for the blog.Really looking forward to read more. Really Great.
Enjoyed every bit of your blog.Really looking forward to read more.
Thanks for sharing, this is a fantastic blog post.Really thank you!
This is one awesome article.Thanks Again.
Awesome article post.Really looking forward to read more. Much obliged.
I loved your blog article.Really thank you! Really Great.
Thanks-a-mundo for the article post. Fantastic.
Hi my friend! I want to say that this article is amazing, nice written and include approximately all important infos.I’d like to see extra posts like this .
A big thank you for your article.Really thank you! Want more.
Hi there friends, how is the whole thing, and what you wish for to sayabout this paragraph, in my view its truly awesome for me.
Thank you for the good writeup. It in reality was a entertainment account it.Look complex to far brought agreeable from you!By the way, how could we keep up a correspondence?
When someone writes an article he/she retains the image of a user in his/her mind that how a user can know it. So that’s why this post is outstdanding. Thanks!
It’s really a great and helpful piece of information. I’m glad that you just shared this useful information with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
A round of applause for your article. Cool.