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Sarkozy's Soap Operetta: Eight Months in Office With the French President
/ Devon Magee
01.12.08
Le Divorce
“Imbécile!” Nicolas Sarkozy, France’s President, muttered as he removed his mic and walked out on an interview with CBS’s Leslie Stahl. The name calling (presumably addressed at his press secretary) was in reaction to Miss Stall’s inquiry into the separation rumors surrounding him and his wife, Cécilia.
The “60 Minutes” interview aired on October 28, just ten days after an official announcement in France declared the Sarkozy divorce. For many Americans, this was their first look at France’s President, an image that contrasted sharply with the stoic Jacques Chirac, Sarkozy’s predecessor, publicly denouncing the invasion of Iraq in 2001. Sarkozy’s outburst and angry candor was more Bush-esque than Chiracian and may have gone a long way to bolster France’s dusty, snobbish image in America. It went a long way, too, to bolster his own image in America, a country he openly adores (he spent his August vacations in New Hampshire). In one fell, seemingly candid swoop, he made a greater splash in the American media bucket than the Beckhams could before moving to LA.
Mr. Sarkozy has often been accused of close, influential ties with media moguls like Martin Bouygues, who he counts as “one of his best friends.” Mr. Bouygues owns TF1, France’s CBS, NBC, or ABC equivalent. In a study put out on December 4th by France’s National Audiovisual Institute that spanned July, August, and September, Mr. Sarkozy was found to be the most broadcasted personality on the news. He was most commonly seen on TF1.
“Imbécile!” Nicolas Sarkozy, France’s President, muttered as he removed his mic and walked out on an interview with CBS’s Leslie Stahl. The name calling (presumably addressed at his press secretary) was in reaction to Miss Stall’s inquiry into the separation rumors surrounding him and his wife, Cécilia.
The “60 Minutes” interview aired on October 28, just ten days after an official announcement in France declared the Sarkozy divorce. For many Americans, this was their first look at France’s President, an image that contrasted sharply with the stoic Jacques Chirac, Sarkozy’s predecessor, publicly denouncing the invasion of Iraq in 2001. Sarkozy’s outburst and angry candor was more Bush-esque than Chiracian and may have gone a long way to bolster France’s dusty, snobbish image in America. It went a long way, too, to bolster his own image in America, a country he openly adores (he spent his August vacations in New Hampshire). In one fell, seemingly candid swoop, he made a greater splash in the American media bucket than the Beckhams could before moving to LA.
Mr. Sarkozy has often been accused of close, influential ties with media moguls like Martin Bouygues, who he counts as “one of his best friends.” Mr. Bouygues owns TF1, France’s CBS, NBC, or ABC equivalent. In a study put out on December 4th by France’s National Audiovisual Institute that spanned July, August, and September, Mr. Sarkozy was found to be the most broadcasted personality on the news. He was most commonly seen on TF1.