President Obama with French President Nicolas Sarkozy: The U.S. leader

just ripped to shreds Sarkozy's self serving explanation of his own defeat.

Obama Victory Exposes Hubris of Sarkozy and French Right (Le Monde, France)

"When Sarkozy's friend, Jean Michel Goudard, returning from a trip to the United States as summer turned to autumn, deemed Barack Obamas re-election 'likely,' Sarkozy refused to believe him - even giving Goudard the cold shoulder for a few days. It was impossible. It had to be impossible. ... But yes! It was possible! Barack Obama, the leader of the country that wreaked havoc with its "toxic" borrowing, just managed to get re-elected president of the United States!"

By Francoise Fressoz

Translated By Katia Mohandi

November 9, 2012

France  Le Monde  Original Article (French)

Jean Michel Goudard: The Fremch political consultant and Sarkozy friend found himself in the dog house when he suggested to Sarkozy that Obama was 'likely' to win. BBC NEWS, U.K.: How Mitt Romney's defeat unfolded, Nov. 7, 00:02:43

If Nicolas Sarkozy never really appreciated Barack Obama, he likes him even less since November 7.

The re-election of the president of the United States has come to destroy every argument the former French president had constructed to explain his own defeat - which to him wasnt one.

One after another, Nicolas Sarkozy watched heads roll across Europe: Brown [UK], Socrates [Portugal], Papandreou [Greece], Berlusconi [Italy], Zapatero [Spain] Sarkozy said to those closest to him, "Can you believe it. Zapatero was so unpopular that he couldnt even run for office again!," blaming the economic crisis for the wipeout that affected so many other leaders across Europe, including British, Portuguese, Greek, Italian and Spanish leaders between 2011 and 2012.

By contrast, his narrow May 6th defeat after receiving 48.38 percent of the vote appeared to him like an accolade. "Quite frankly, taking the crisis into account, such a result is an achievement. Not a single head of state has managed to be re-elected," Sarkozy repeated all summer to those who came to visit.

So when his friend, Jean Michel Goudard, returning from a trip to the United States as summer turned to autumn, deemed Barack Obamas re-election "likely," Sarkozy refused to believe him - even giving Goudard the cold shoulder for a few days. It was impossible. It had to be impossible.

But yes! It was possible! Barack Obama, the leader of the country that wreaked havoc with its "toxic" borrowing, just managed to get re-elected president of the United States at the age of 51!

SEE ALSO ON THIS:

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Estadao, Brazil: In Retaining Obama, Americans Choose 'Known' Over 'Dangerous'

Independent, U.K.: After the Battle, the Wake: Inquest and Drink for Reeling Romneyites

Independent, U.K.: Obama Readies to Build Bridges, but Needs New Allies

HN, Czech Republic: Obama Reelection Means 'More Bad News' for Europe

The Daily Nation, Kenya: After Victory is 'God's Plan' says Momma Sarah Obama

Liberation, France: After 'Giving Us a Scare' - Obama Wins Again

Guardian, U.K.: Mitt Romney Betrayed By Hardline Republicans

Economist, U.K.: Obama's Win Raises Questions for Republicans

There was a cyclical component that might explain Obama's performance: the U.S. employment situation improved slightly in October, just before the election. In France, it was not the case: on the eve of the presidential election, the April figures showed a steady rise in unemployment for the previous eleven months, reaching their highest level since 1999.

Posted by Worldmeets.US

However, there are other reasons with which one might explain Barack Obamas victory, including divisions within the Republican camp between doves and hawks, and centrists and the extremists driven to hysteria over defending a White America that feels a loss in status.

This related directly to the debates now shaking the French right. One part has reconstituted itself in the center. The other seems irresistibly attracted to the National Front.

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