France's Sarkozy parts with American RW on global warming and Iraq

[ProSense]

From Council on Foreign Relations:

… Sarkozy included a word of support for the United States as well as a challenge on global warming (Deutsche Welle): “(A) great nation like the United States has the duty to not obstruct the fight against global warming, but on the contrary to head this struggle.”

<…>

…As the campaign progressed, however, Sarkozy carefully distanced himself from Washington, insisting he would never be subordinate and reasserting his opposition to the Iraq war (Weekly Standard)…

Full comment from Deutsche Welle article:

And to the US he had a message on global warming, saying, "France will always be by (the US's) side when they need her. But ... a great nation like the United States has the duty to not obstruct the fight against global warming, but on the contrary to head this struggle. Because what is at stake is the future of all humanity."

From Weekly Standard article:

But that was then, now Sarkozy is singing to a different tune. On February 28, in his most important foreign policy speech to date, Sarkozy barely strayed from the Chirac line. He started by praising Chirac for his leadership on matters of foreign policy, including his "lucidity" in keeping France from entering the war in Iraq, which he called a "historic mistake." When a journalist asked him about his Atlantist reputation, Sarkozy challenged her to "find one text or broadcast where he supported George Bush's actions in Iraq." Speaking about relations with the United States, Sarkozy stated in a very Chirac-like style that France would not be submissive, and he asked his "American friends to let us be free, free to be their friends." Interestingly, Sarkozy who is often criticized for being too supportive of Israel in a country with a pro-Arab policy tradition, explained that the Israeli response to Hezbollah last year had been "disproportionate"--the same word Chirac had uttered back in July 2006.

[Mass]

1. So what? If you think this is all that matters!

He could not been elected in France if he had held a different position on any of these two subjects. I wished he had taken a different position on Iraq. We will have a president Royal right now.

Sarkozy knows what is good for him. If he thought that siding with Bush on that was good, he would have sided with him!

[ProSense]

2. And your point?

Certainly the OP isn't suggesting that Sarkozy is preferable to Royal. Where the hell does it say that's all that matters?

Maybe the French are just as gullible as Americans!

[Mass]

3. My point is that Sarkozy is purely pandering. There is no principles behind his position.

I am not sure what was your point with this thread, but how does what Sarkozy say on these issues matter? (BTW, his way to reduce global warming is to build more nuclear power plants).

[ProSense]

4. Well if he was pandering

on global warming why is he suggesting nuclear power, which some gobal warming advocates agree with? I'll look for him to announce support for the Iraq war. Still, the people of France bought into his rheotoric, sad as it may be.

Information is information whether it's disappointing or bad news.

[Solo_in_MD]

5. Those who paint Sarkozy as a Bush clone are ill informed

He was to the right of Royal, but compared to Americans he is much closer to John Kerry than *

[ChazII]

6. Will we get nuclear power plants like France?