Sarcozy's Comments on Obama

[Middy]

Sarkozy's Comments on Leaders Draw Shock, Denial

French President Nicolas Sarkozy's triumphant march to the Elysée was paved with a promise to ignore formality. To his credit, that style has helped deliver some reformist victories at home. But that undiplomatic swagger can also get Sarkozy into trouble — especially when he talks trash about foreign leaders.

That's exactly what happened this week when French daily Libération revealed that Sarkozy had delivered some astonishingly unflattering comments about several foreign officials — including American President Barack Obama. During a lunch with a group of French legislators Wednesday, Sarkozy reportedly described Obama as inexperienced, ill-prepared by advisers, and thus far "not always up to standard on decision-making and efficiency."

Cont'd: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1892375,00.html

His opinion of Obama is very accurate. So glad our President has earned so much new respect from our allies.

[wildcat87]

Good to know that the right suddenly takes the opinion of French people seriously.

And Time Magazine

[Middy]

When he's right, he's right. His judgment was on the mark on this one.

[UK Glenmont]

Good to know that the right suddenly takes the opinion of French people seriously.

we have always loved the french, they bailed us out in the rev war.

it was the ass clown jacques chirac we didnt like.

[croupier101]

conservatives must be calling them french fries again.

[spearmaster]

And if he said something positive about Obama. He'd be....wrong???

Most likely, depends on what he says.

[jmb6]

Good to know that the right suddenly takes the opinion of French people seriously.

We're pragmatists.

[toreyj01]

Uh boy, Sarkozy just stepped in it again.

From your article it appears to be a retraction on the Obama comments:

When international newspapers picked up the comments the Elysée went into spin mode, denying the most offensive quips, particularly those about Obama. But parliamentarians party to Wednesday's dissing included members from France's opposition Socialist Party, who had no qualms about confirming Sarkozy's comments — and at times add detail to them.

As a result, doubly disgusted reports from abroad frequently contained condemnations similar to the Times of London's description of Sarkozy as a "bitchy little princess". Spain's ABC said Sarkozy's behavior confirmed frequent complaints in France that his "superiority complex has no limits." By midday Friday, the global coverage of Libération's report had come full circle, with French media like the daily Le Monde running stories about "The Arrogant Sarkozy Fingered By the International Press."

[spearmaster]

conservatives must be calling them french fries again.

I always called them french fries because I like them and you have to give where credit is due. And the credit goes to the French on such awesome food.

[Mojotiger]

I always called them french fries because I like them and you have to give where credit is due. And the credit goes to the French on such awesome food.

The French are good at making three things: wine, cheese, and white flags.

[ThrowCop]

I always called them french fries because I like them and you have to give where credit is due. And the credit goes to the French on such awesome food.Actually, give credit to the Belgians. ;)

[ValricoKate]

described Obama as inexperienced, ill-prepared by advisers, and thus far "not always up to standard on decision-making and efficiency

So how is this assessment wrong?

Obama didn't know foreign policy so he hired Biden.
His staff makes gaffes in gifts and protocol to this day...it is because they are inexperienced ...give them time.
How could they be expected to brief him correctly if they are inexperienced and Joe is in la la land half the time?

As for timeliness in decisions ...Afghanistan
(but in fairness ...maybe he is polling the country to see if "Aufghaunistaun" is the more acceptable pronunciation, before publicly airing his decision)

Seems like the French President's assessment reflects my recollection of foreign policy stories thus far in a term so "short", that in the same time frame a new human being could have been produced from naught.