L' Election Présidentielle 2007 / French Presidential Election [R]

[ilv2]

If it's true, if Sarko really commissioned an inquiry with the campaign on his mind, it's still a significant move. Mitterrand is long dead and buried, it doesn't give the right a white card till the End of Times. Anyway, those are still rather discutable tricks, whoever is the perpetrators ; and this is actually where lies the whole issue...

The other bugging thing is that M. Sarkozy would have been using the RGs while staying interior minister and candidate to the Presidency. Despite all that, the affair wasn't apparently so hard to leak in the media. These kind of things are deemed so insignificant that the guys merely feel the need to be discrete ! That's where we are ! :eek:


But by who - TF1? They love him! And personally, I think even Lemonde is presenting a fairly skewed depiction of the campaign. Granted the right is pubicly digging into Sego non-stop, and her own gaffes aren't exactly helping, but something like this where a government minister is theoretically abusing the power invested in him for personal gain should be nothing else but a scandal. I suppose one would be surprised that the left has not pounced on this, but IMO the campaign is already in tatters. The old guard is not giving the support she needs to stop Sarko. I agree with you completely - her image in the media is so weak (perhaps it's different being there), the only way she can be saved is if the whole party comes to her support - meaning, the actual real candidates like you said.

Looks like you got yourself a classic case of a runoff between a giant douche and a turd sandwich
http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/6259/giantdouchesx3.jpg http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/6995/turdsandwicheb9.jpg


On the other hand, I wonder who would play the role I've just assigned to M. Strauss-Kahn. Maybe a Sarkozy - Michèle Alliot-Marie ticket would help Sarko better smoothen his public image and promote peace within the UMP with the Chirac clan. I feel like talking about medieval like alliances...That would be win-win though ; but the problem remains the same as 'en face', how this would stay coherent and not burst into tiny shrapnels at the first bump ?

Calme calme, cool cool, zen zen?
I dunno, Sarko is a dominating figure and if an alliance occurs with anyone, he or she would be taking a serious backseat.


I actually think Bayrou would be a good choice... It could be a harkening back to a cohabitation except with someone who is "neutral" at the head. Then again, no one is going to vote for UDF candidates for the Assemblée nationale... In any case, IMO it won't be too hard for Bayrou to get some respect from the people from the "big parties." His resolve seems to get stronger from years past when he's been sort of the blubbering fool and when it comes down to it, he probably won't take shit from anyone - pardon my language. Correct me if my view is completely out of touch with reality...

[Pierre-Henri]

Nanbawan, depuis qu'il est passé à Strasbourg, j'ai toujours pensé que Le Pen était la bonne solution pour tous les problèmes à gauche.

(j'espère que tout le monde comprendra la vanne, sinon, ouille !)

I like the way Bayrou is leading his campaign. He is a really honest person, and says really honest things ... even when this things are unpopular or directly confront the allmighty mediatic system. Like many other people beffudled by the sheer stupidity of the PS, I will probably vote for him.

When I say "sheer stupidity", I don't think about Ségolène Royal. She's not the worst of all. But when I hear people like Philippe Meirieu, Jack Lang and Claude Allègre (not to say Georges Frêche), I can't imagine the PS has become such a moronic party. When they talk about education and university, for example*, it turns clear that they simply haven't any clue on what's really going on. They know nothing about the reality of the situation. Their projects are comparable to the strategies of 14-18 generals : "more troops, send more troops, more and more !" ... not caring that the aforementioned trops are being turned into mincemeat by the heavy artillery and the machine-guns. Socialists think the same way.

About Sarkozy, the way the guy is making politics, the way he is controlling the media ... all this things are really ugly. Sometimes, it feels as if he could use near-Karlrovian stinky tricks. Too bad he is the right-wing candidate, especially since their think tanks are much better inspired than the leftist ones. Michèle Alliot-Marie would have been a much better choice, in my opinion.

* I know, Guignol, here I come again :rolleyes: .

[Anti-footix]

I can't imagine the PS has become such a moronic party. When they talk about education and university, for example*, it turns clear that they simply haven't any clue on what's really going on. They know nothing about the reality of the situation. Their projects are comparable to the strategies of 14-18 generals : "more troops, send more troops, more and more !" ... not caring that the aforementioned trops are being turned into mincemeat by the heavy artillery and the machine-guns. Socialists think the same way.
but they don't care, they only want the people in "l'éducation national" to keep voting for the PS. they are all blind "socialos".

[Pierre-Henri]

Education nationale currently has 1 300 000 employes. Among them, 800 000 actually are teachers. Good thing : we need teachers.

But, but, but, but... do we really need 500 000 administrative and hierarchic executives (at all levels : Ministère, Rectorats, Inspections, IUFM, INRP and so forth) in order to supervise the work of 800 000 teachers ?

And it's not as if they were efficient. When I was a teacher, I started my work in september ... but only got my first pay in november. It means I had to pay myself for the pleasure to work.

Of course, I wasn't a member of any union. Which may explains that.

[guignol]

When I was a teacher, I started my work in september ... but only got my first pay in november. It means I had to pay myself for the pleasure to work. Of course, I wasn't a member of any union. Which may explains that.it's neither inefficiency nor bias against nonunion employees, just a throwback to the old days when all salaries were paid by trimester... rents went the same way. they have a real love of tradition in the EN. ;)

[Douai]

I heard Sarkozy is killing Royal in the polls.Does anyone know the latest results?

EDIT: I read somewhere that he is leading by %54.

[ilv2]

Une recherche d'ADN a été effectuée par la police pour identifier l'un des voleurs du scooter du fils de Nicolas Sarkozy, procédure peu habituelle pour un vol de deux roues.

The scooter of Nicholas Sarkozy's son was stolen the other day, after he left it outside on the street (in Neuilly) without locking it up. Usually, from a normal persons perspective the police would say they'd make an effort and find it if it turns up somewhere and matches the description. But in reality, they really don't give two cents worth of their time. Surprise, surprise, however, that the ensuing police investigation for Nico's scooter involved extensive DNA testing! Of course, the scooter turned up ten days later by normal means LOL.

[Douai]

Is it true that Le Pen supports mandatory military service?

[ilv2]

ET voila, en plus il est raciste!! :rolleyes: surprise!

According to Lilian Thurman, Sarko stated that it is [truly] the blacks and the arabs who are creating the problems in the banlieues

Le footballeur français a affirmé sur France-Culture, mercredi 31 janvier, que M. Sarkozy avait "une vision raciale des choses et des gens". Evoquant son entretien avec le ministre de l'intérieur à l'automne 2005, après la crise des banlieues, il raconte :"Il me dit, vous savez, c'est les Noirs et les Arabes qui créent des problèmes dans les banlieues."

[ilv2]

Is it true that Le Pen supports mandatory military service?

not sure, but it wouldn't be surprising. Of course, military conscription would occur after you kick out those who aren't "pure french" in order to forcibly protect the sanctity of French soil... :rolleyes: :D

[ilv2]

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/3345/bayroumj2.png

love this little cariacture

Will Bayrou repeat 2002? Neither big party knows how to attack him, and Bayrou has taken the lesson of LePen and has actually done more media appearances than Sego!

[Douai]

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/3345/bayroumj2.png


That's a funny political cartoon with the bird flu and the presidential candidates.

[ilv2]

Bayrou is really tearing into the medias angle. Most recently, he has questioned the credibility and validity of TF1's new show "J'ai une question a vous poser" (I have a question to ask you) whose first invitee for the debut show was none other than Nicolas Sarkozy.
http://www.lemonde.fr/web/article/0,1-0@2-823448,36-864824@51-825418,0.html

"Je suis infiniment choqué par ce que j'apprends, [à savoir] que l'émission est organisée par les amis, les copains, les proches, les salariés de l'UMP", a déclaré François Bayrou à la presse lors d'un déplacement à Bordeaux. "C'est en réalité l'UMP qui est aux commandes, presque directement, de ce type d'émissions", s'est indigné M. Bayrou.

Il s'est étonné que le sujet des questions des participants ait été communiqués aux organisateurs à la mi-journée. "Il y a là quelque chose pour moi qui mérite explication et réaction et je n'ai pas l'intention de ne pas les demander", a-t-il dit, ajoutant qu'il allait désormais "réfléchir" à sa participation. "Les Français ne sont pas ce que l'on croit", a-t-il insisté. "Ils sont attentifs à la République. Ils ne veulent pas qu'on les manipule".

To summarize the rest of the article, he broke records with his appearance on "Le Grand Journal" on cANAL + , which if I remember still is available to all audiences despite the channel being a subscriber network.

Cette partie de l'émission a obtenu une part d'audience de 7,7 %, soit 2,1 millions de téléspectateurs avec des pics jusqu'à 4 millions.

What I find a little worrying is that he's digging into the right, which implies that the voters that he will draw out to his camp will naturally be from the left, because he is actually "courageous" enough to do take on the UMP machine. As a centrist, I believe he can make critiques of both sides, but is too hesitant about diminishing his new-found base of support. (Of course, one can argue that if he attacks Sego, then more disgruntled leftists would actually split off lol).

[Douai]

"The Socialist candidate in France's presidential election, Segolene Royal, has launched her manifesto in Paris."

source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6351199.stm

[Douai]

I think it is safe to say that Nicholas Sarkozy will be the new president of France.I also believe that we will see Bayrou and Sarkozy in the 2nd round.

[ilv2]

I think it is safe to say that Nicholas Sarkozy will be the new president of France.I also believe that we will see Bayrou and Sarkozy in the 2nd round.

IMO Sarko is doing well in the polls, but it's still too early to make a definite conclusion. We still have almost three months until the 1er tour and it only gets really heated in the last month.

Bayrou in the 2nd round? He's ok but remember he's largely the choice for the abstainers, disgruntled left who are really really upset at Sego (even though DSK and Fabius support here), and genuine centrists, whatever that means.
Also keep in mind that while everyone is talking about a repeat of 2002, the only reason why Le Pen got through is because of a massively divided left - e.g. too many candidates who divided the vote; as well as the electors choosing to vote for radical left parties to make a statement, never anticipating that Jospin would be kicked out of the race. Bayrou, logically, can get some number of votes through campaigning, but his success largely depends on one of the big two faltering.
On that note, if Bayrou gets through to the 2eme tour, it will more likely be at the expense of Sego.... which is why the left are starting to attack him now! Delicious!

"Le seul troisième homme possible, on le connaît, c'est Le Pen", s'est insurgé François Hollande, mercredi 14 février, sur Canal+. "François Bayrou ne peut pas être au niveau de Jean-Marie Le Pen. Arrêtez de créer d'autres effets", a insisté le premier secrétaire du PS."
http://www.lemonde.fr/web/article/0,1-0@2-823448,36-867794@51-825418,0.html

[Nanbawan]

If you like cartoons, you can give a try to Maëster's blog. What an incredible caricaturist he is in terms of art !

http://maester.over-blog.com/

He is known in France for his comic book about a rather well, shifted nun : Soeur Marie-Thérèse des Batignolles (right on the cover) that are published Fluide Glacial comics and fun stories magazine.

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/6766/maestercouvjn0.png

****


http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/2741/maestersarko1rq9.png


And...


http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/4346/maestersarko2jq6.png

[ilv2]

how does one take images from the site? (i.e. bypass the right-click thing the author put to prevent exactly that)

What is the opinion in France about the recent suspension of Alain Duhamel (a radio broadcaster who pronounced his support for Bayrou during a sciences-po UDF conference)? Even with the clear non-neutral stance of the big media groups, isn't journalism in france accepted as non-neutral (as opposed to the states where there is a mask of neutrality)?


In other news the UMP is starting to worry about the expansive promises that Sarko is making to the french people. I'll be honest and say that the debate over the budget kinda bores me, so I haven't really paid attention to it. But logically, one assumes that the right will attack the left for its free spending on social programs, initiatives, etc.
Right now, Sarko's costs have been modified to ~50 billion euros. Shocking, given that his campaign is claiming that it'll cost 30 billion over 5 years. He's also promised to give back 68 billion euros to the french people. So how does all this fit in with each other?
Does anyone know how much the PS is evaluating their budget, and secondly can someone put this into a context (e.g. the last few years of government spending)?

http://www.lemonde.fr/web/article/0,1-0@2-823448,36-868237@51-823374,0.html

The guignols had a very good episode about these subjects tonight:
http://lepocketpc.com/webtv/guignols_cplus.php (mms://vipmms.canalplus.fr/canalplus/guignols_070216_a.wmv)

[Pierre-Henri]

So how does all this fit in with each other?


It doesn't. It simply doesn't. Given the gigantic debt we have, none of the two budgets makes any sense. Sarkozy's budget is only slightly less insane that Royal's budget. Sarkozy says : first we try to manage our funds better, and then we can use some more money. The socialists, on the other hand, have completely lost common sense. Their only motto is : more ! more funds for everyone !

I mean, my university can't afford soap and toilet tissue (no joke here), but the two candidates are promising us BILLIONS. This makes no sense, no sense at all. France is broke. Period.

[Nanbawan]

how does one take images from the site? (i.e. bypass the right-click thing the author put to prevent exactly that)


One does bother his ass ! ;)

Just need to make a screen capture (alt + PrintScreen), paste in paint and cut what is needed and then host it on imageshack (or elsewhere) before posting it here.

Like this one about the PS during its primaries ; I really love it because you can easily recognise Royal, Hollande, DSK and Fabius.

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/5725/oieblanchesegodo1.png

Meanwhile, in the wilderness of French politics...

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/8140/jungleumpql4.png

Anyway, he might be an old school drawer -with pencils and aquarelle - but he has awesome skills. There are very interesting bits about his technique on the blog and the dedication, the care, the work he puts on some of his illustrations are impressive ; that's why I like traditional drawing, you can really perceive a glimpse of the artists' inner world and sensitivity. It feels like reading what he had in mind not only in terms of meaning but also in terms of personal representation...

*crickets*

Hem...