Europe Decides

What’s an American to do when his command of the French language is limited to bonjour, merci and un baguette s’il vous plait? Turn down the volume and watch the body language. Going into last nights debate I thought Madame Royal needed to coax Monsieur Sarkozy into the middle of the ring and show his darker, meaner side. In fact, Sarko appeared to have turned the tides on her and got her to lose her temper over handicap children and schooling.

Polls gave the victory on the debate to Sarkozy, but polls are only as good as the questions they ask. I would give him the edge simply on my criteria that he kept his cool. There was nothing new covered in the debate and no great quotes that will be remembered like Lloyd Bentsen’s retort to Dan Quayle — “Senator you’re no Jack Kennedy.” A great quote, but hell everyone in America except for my dog and three year old niece already knew that.

But despite the barbs, it is interesting to watch the body language and presentation of the two candidates. Both always look impecable in their dress and presentation. If nothing else they serve as great fashion mentors to aspring politicians. (Footnote: wear a tie and lose the Members Only jacket to make an impression).

We will know more on Sunday if the debate moved the needle. Conventional wisdom says Sarkozy should win and all of my French colleagues say the same, but there have been other sure bets that did not pan out as expected.

I for one will not be surprised at all on Monday if I am prefacing the President of France’s surname with Madame.