That’s an interesting theory, but I doubt there’s much evidence to back it up.

Of course. When you have a campaign between what would be considered in the U.S. to be a slightly right of center candidate and massively to the left of center candidate, there’s really no way for the Right here to claim victory.

The fact that Sarkozy is even considered a conservative in France says a lot about how far out of the mainstread American conservatives are.

There were other issues, as well

What it really is, Ollie, is a rousing repudiation of the nanny state policies that have brought France to economic stagnation, many of which those on the left would just love to implement here, given half the chance.

Warnings that a Sarkozy victory would trigger large-scale violence in the high-immigration suburbs were not borne out, though there was sporadic trouble across the country and some 360 cars were burned.

OW – Except when you comment about the trends of politics moving leftward (see Venezuela, Peru, Boliva, etc).

And, while Sarkozy certainly cannot be compared to a US conservative, there are major distinctions between him and Sergo. And, while policy issues in France are different than policy issues in the US (becuase it’s France), on the major questions Sarko is promoting policy positions which would be counter to the US Dem party’s.

That the Leftist candidate lost – after moving to the center – cannot be portrayed by you & your comrades as a non-victory for the right.

Regards,
St Wendeler
Another Rovian Conspiracy

There was the odd clash with angry protesting extremists, but those guys aren’t “The French Left”.

Hours after the election results were announced, the police fired tear gas at the Place de la Bastille. There were minor outbreaks of violence in some suburbs, with some youths burning cars, the police said. But the clashes were not significantly different from most weekends, a police source said.

“not significantly different from most weekends”
Don’t you love ‘em?

“I gave it all my energy, and will continue,” Mlle Royal told supporters. “Something has risen up that will not stop.”

She expressed the hope that “the next president of the Republic” would accomplish his mission at the service of all the French people.

What sarcasm?

I don’t pretend to be an expert on the rest of the world – and most liberal bloggers don’t. But the cons? They act as if they know everything.

I think the general attitude of most of our leadership is summed up in this installment of Get Your War On.

Faux News was running a graphic this morning along the lines, “US gains new ally in Europe”

Did you catch Bill Maher’s rule regrading Conservatives vs. France?

It would hardly be France “moving to the right” in any case. They haven’t been significantly to the left since Mitterand, and besides, they’ve always been quite right-wing in some respects. Although kudos on the rejection of the Thatcher model of economics.

But yeah, you guys really have no idea what “left wing” means.