Palin Prank-Called By "Sarkozy"

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Sarah Palin

Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin was prank called today by a comedy duo from Quebec, who convinced the Alaska governor that she was speaking to French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Palin seemed unsuspicious during the call, which lasted about six minutes. When told she was being pranked, Palin took the news well, asking what radio station she was on before suddenly getting off the line.

You can listen to the call here or by clicking on the YouTube video below.

Palin's press secretary Tracey Schmitt issued this statement to CBS News' Scott Conroy, who is traveling with the Palin campaign:

"Governor Palin received a phone call on Saturday from a French Canadian talk show host claiming to be French President Nicholas Sarkozy. Governor Palin was mildly amused to learn that she had joined the ranks of heads of state, including President Sarkozy, and other celebrities in being targeted by these pranksters. C'est la vie."

Update: Topics touched on in the prank call included a reference to Palin's political future. When the impersonator ventured, "I see you as a president one day, too," the vice presidential running mate responded, "maybe in eight years."

Palin was effusive in her praise for Sarkozy, saying, "We have such great respect for you. John McCain and I, we love you." When the caller mentioned he liked hunting, Palin said, "We should go hunting together. We can have a lot of fun together while we're getting work done. We could kill two birds with one stone."

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by ianherring November 4, 2008 3:15 AM EST: (cont.)
Rich Little, Eugene Levy, Rick Moranis, Mike Myers - They%u2019ve been streaming over our borders for years, but it%u2019s only recently that the American government started to realize what a threat they were. The CIA started to get wind that something was wrong with the release of %u201CNothing but Trouble%u201D, the Dan Aykroid directed film starring John Candy, which was the first documented comedic attack on American soil. Authorities have since become concerned over Howie Mandell%u2019s trafficking in metal briefcases and a suspicious character known only as %u2018Ed Grimley%u2019.

Falsified calling is the latest, and most serious method of attack. While the Department of Homeland Security refuses to discuss the dozens of rumored cases of Canadian %u201CCrank%u201D calls, it has been confirmed by several sources that a secret Bush Administration strategy to disrupt Iranian research, Operation: Nucular Blowback, failed because the president had slept through the window of opportunity allotted for him to initate the operation. Apparently, he had been kept up the night before with constant phone call inquiries over whether his refrigerator was running. These calls were later traced to a comedy club in Ottawa. C-Span also has footage of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi trying to pass an incoming call to a supposed Montana Representative Heywood U. Gropeme. The Palin attack seems to be just the latest in what has become a disturbing trend.; Reply to this comment


by ianherring November 4, 2008 3:02 AM EST: I%u2019m afraid I have some bad news. On the surface, this story looks like normal on-air personality antics, but our Department of Homeland Defense has reason to believe that something more sinister is afoot.
It is no accident that this call was released so close to the election. It hurt Palin%u2019s credibility, and may impact the outcome of our election. If this were a couple of local Morning Zoo-style jackasses, we wouldn%u2019t be concerned. But they weren%u2019t Americans. They were Canadians.
Fact: Canada%u2019s economic well-being is irrevocably tied to the USA. When the American dollar is weaker than the Canadian dollar, Canada loses out on the steady stream of American tourists that flow across their borders to lose their money in casinos and go-go bars. It is in their best interest that the U.S. have a strong economy, and a strong currency.
Fact: The Canadian military forces are currently tied up in Iraq. They didn%u2019t intend to join the coalition of the willing, but American diplomats exploited their national weakness to get them to sign up: They asked very nicely. Canada would like nothing more than for the new American president to end the war there, so they can bring their troops home. Preferably, before curling season ends.
Fact: Canadian citizens can not vote in U.S. elections. I%u2019m pretty sure we have a law against it.
So, what is their only recourse? Influence the election through commando comedy.; Reply to this comment


by ebarnett26 November 3, 2008 6:30 PM EST: Palin is a joke.
obama 08; Reply to this comment


by almac8991 November 3, 2008 12:51 PM EST: Wow, how one sided can you get !!! First you have French Canadians making fun of our VP candidate, then you go overseas to see everyone wanting Obama !! Why does everyone from other countries want Obama, it makes us weak !! Without a foundation you crumble, when you tolerate everything you stand for nothing !!CBS, open your wallets and let some people go, the extra taxes are going to some who actually need help, but much will go to those who think work is a dirty word !! I will be behind whoever is President because that is the Amercian way. I will not stand still to watch us sell ourselves down the river. It is a privilege to do and have all we have, not a right !! The only right is the opportunity to pursue them !! I will be in prayer for our nation and our new President !!; Reply to this comment


by old_bard November 3, 2008 4:12 AM EST: now i believe. believe the sat score that someone posted for palin. mccain must have been afraid to pick anyone who was intellectually superior to him. to get pranked like that for 6 minutes, inplies that she and her staff are real mental giants. washington is no place for babes in the woods or cowboys. i sure hope the undecided voters out there are not potential mccain vp choices.; Reply to this comment


by rightnwrong November 3, 2008 2:17 AM EST: To: rightnwrong how many times do you post the same garbage?Posted by model67a at 05:45 PM : Nov 02, 2008

Sorry to all of you. The post would not leave my page. When I pressed ''Publish'', I recv''d a message, ''we will resume to publish soon for everyone to get a chance to voice their opinion''. My apologies.; Reply to this comment


by targaray-2009 November 3, 2008 1:30 AM EST: - END THE DISASTER OF THE BUSH-McCAIN YEARS - VOTE FOR CHANGE - 2008; Reply to this comment


by neederbaur November 3, 2008 12:56 AM EST: *** CANOOKS STRIKE AGAIN.TAKE OFF YOU HOSERS.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot70G4wSQi0 From Dreams of My Father: "I ceased to advertise my mother''''s race at the age of 12 or 13, when I began to suspect that by doing so I was ingratiating myself to whites."

From Dreams of My Father: "I found a solace in nursing a pervasive sense of grievance and animosity against my mother''''s race."

From Dreams of My Father: "There was something about him that made me wary, a little too sure of himself, maybe. And white."

From Dreams of My Father: ; "It remained necessary to prove which side you were on, to show your loyalty to the black masses, to strike out and name names."

From Dreams of My Father: "I never emulate white men and brown men whose fates didn''''t speak to my own. It was into my father''''s image, the black man, son of Africa, that I''''d packed all the attributes I sought in myself, the attributes of Martin and Malcolm, Dubois and Mandela."

From Audacity of Hope: "I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction."; Reply to this comment


by yongamerica November 2, 2008 9:20 PM EST: Now just imagine the telephone conversation she would have with Vladimir Putin or China''s President Hu Jintao?

Now that''s be a hoot.; Reply to this comment