Comments on: Sarko The American

Lesley Stahl Interviews France's New Leader

[sobog]

Like most french people I don''t give a *** about our president''s domestic''s troubles, except that we all (more or less) secretly relish to see an arrogant man puinished by where he has sinned.
But there is definitely one point that need stressing: nobody ever called Sarkozy "the american" back home. This is a FICTION he worked out especially for you Americans. And the only way this name is ever mentioned in France is when we''re told how he did it and how wel it worked !!!!

[alexone-2009]

In both points of view (as an American or as a French citizen), this short special show dedicated to the French president was very interesting to watch.
The parallel with the American success style and the Nicolas Sarkozy''s acts as a pro-America addict''was well developped.
By the way, at the end of the show, we found that positive attitudes were mostly shown. That said, for American people, the president can seem more close to them. But for some French people, the show would seemed so unreal and a misunderstanding portrait.
Finally, on the last question (which gave born to the famous question on the rumor on his wife), I found the president''s behavior ''justify'' and not that dramatical , without forgetting that he kept his self-control and just ... left.

[alexone-2009]

In both points of view (as an American or as a French citizen), this short special show dedicated to the French president was very interesting to watch.
The parallel with the American success style and the Nicolas Sarkozy''s acts as a pro-America addict''was well developped.
By the way, at the end of the show, we found that positive attitudes were mostly shown. That said, for American people, the president can seem more close to them. But for some French people, the show would seemed so unreal and a misunderstanding portrait.
Finally, on the last question (which gave born to the famous question on the rumor on his wife), I found the president''s behavior ''justify'' and not that dramatical , without forgetting that he kept his self-control and just ... left.

[noisett]

BUTTAN IS RIGHT! Most people on this thread have the wrong end of the stick. The separation of the Sarkozy couple was covered extensively by all the quality broadsheets, not just the tabloid press. And indeed, a journalist from the highly respected Le Monde newspaper questioned NS during a press conference. Needless to say, he didn''t like it. Whilst she was a little clumsy in her wording, Stahl had EVERY RIGHT to raise the topic!! Why can''t you guys admit this is fair enough? Sarkozy exposed and used his family during the presidential campaign and since he has been elected. What on earth was Cecilia doing in Lybia helping with the liberation of the Bulgarian nurses? There is no official role for the ''first lady'' in the French constitution, yet no other president''s spouse has been so visible, so soon.
And as Buttan highlighted, Sarkozy has been unashamedly using the media since his election. He and his ex-wife have been omnipresent in the media (well, occasionally because she was a no-show at important functions!). Over-exposure is a tool typically used by demagogues and populists. Trouble is, it can backfire sometimes.

[fredthecat1]

I was embarrassed for CBS, 60 minutes and leslie stahl for this interview. My friend and I laughed and questioned whether CBS had been purchased by The National Enquirer??? With all the relevant questions that could have been asked, why in the world would this interview be lowered to the level of a gossip column without the alien-child and mothman? What about his views on a 35 hour work week and how it would impact his country and socialist society, or progress towards solar energy? [I was born in France and there were so many things that I would have wanted to know that he may not have considered a waste of his time.]

Prior to the interview it appeared as if CBS news attempted to explain it at the beginning of the program and blame his ''temper''. If anyone asked me questions so personal and irrelevant as that to me, I''d probably have a temper also.

This interview was truly Andy Rooney material.

[agtdean1]

I have enjoyed your programming for a long time and always made it a point to "tune in" for the insightful presentations. I was appalled to hear Leslie Stahl question President Sarkozy on the status of his marraige. What bearing has this dribble to your core viewing audience. Do you seriously believe that YOUR CORE AUDIENCE wants to be subjected to scandal rag interviews? Please do not allow yourselves to be reduced to this level of reporting. I was embarrassed that an American news group of your stature presented yourselves in this manner and do not want you to continue to bash this political figure. By the way, how did you come to the conclusion that President Sarkozy is simply a clone of President Bush?

[vivesarko]

To mtrillium:

Why do you feel the need to be insulting to the French people? I think it says more about yourself than about us. You can make a point without having to denigrate others.

[christophesf]

Mrs Leslie Stahl,

I saw with interest your segment about President Sarkozy and want to share with my profound indignation about your personal questions about his ex-wife Cecilia. How could you dare to talk like that to a President? Have you lost any common sense? Don''t you think there are others interesting topics to talk about in France right now with all the reforms going on. Shame on you Mrs Leslie Stahl for being so trashy and dishonor your profession!

[mayapetrovic]

Even if Ms. Stahl asked a question that he was not prepared to answer, Mr. Sarkozy should have handled it as a gentleman, with tolerance; a good politician should be able to handle some not so "fit" questions, n''est ce pas. I am not so impressed with Mr. Sarkozy and I openly ask what new and refreshing will be brought to France, except copying some of great American experiences to France, and will it work? as we are talking about two different social and cultural environments..France always appreciated US in many ways but it was rarely said or acknowledged by French officials. Do we care to like someone who is verbally admitting it and sweet talking %u2026does it matter? I would say, Sarkozy please refresh, create a new original and overall human role to France; so far he has alienated a number of groups in France, he did the same with small states in Europe telling them how meaningless they are %u2026 and I guess not really understanding our culture where journalists may be free to ask some questions that are not the fit for an European groomed politicians %u2026To those so quick to blame Ms. Stahl, please address it with the editor who reviewed her questions, and I guess everyone including Sarkozy learned the lesson %u2026to bad it was not handled with more style by Sarko.

[buttan-2009]

The American public was not told at all that Sarkozy is a shameless manipulator of the French media.
Sarkozy has been selling his private life with full blast since months hoping perhaps his wife would not leave him under such pressure. However she did.
Ms Stahl then was very right indeed in putting questions to him on his private life considering the mess he has himself created in his relations with the media.
Especially as his friends owning most of the newspapers no longer obey him as when in May when he managed to make a newspaper withdraw an article
revealing that his wife did not vote for him, not a small scandal as for the integrity of the French press.
The French media reaction to Sarkozy performance on 60 Minutes make a point of his behaviour during the interview. Right they are.
And by the way the prestige newspaper Le Monde has asked Sarkozy the very same question during a press conference as Lesley Stahl.
In other words she is as professional in her attitude as in very good company.

[mtrillium]

Let''s be honest: if Sarkozy were not pro-American, Stahl would have been a lot more polite. Libs rejoice in criticism from outside, it reinforces their position that Bush "destroyed" this country. (This is why they''re called traitors: they like US losing so they can blame it on political enemies. PP - the Press Party -- is full of them.)

Good for you Mr. Sarko; you showed how you treat these ***: polite, yet unhesitatingly. Personally I have new respect for the French for electing him. Maybe they *can* do some good, every 226 years or so.

[vpasap]

What could have been an interesting interview with the new President of France turned into a fiasco because of the tacky journalism of Leslie Stahl.I believe she is miscast on 60 minutes and belongs over at The Enquirer. This is not the first time she has given terrible interviews. So long, 60 minutes!

[stephanela]

To jn4ggs,
Let me give you some explanations about the French press expectations:
- like in the US, French have "people" magazines or shows which comment on personal life (more for show business artists, less for politicians, but still) and what was at the time of the 60 Minutes interview, just a rumor
- like in the US, French have "serious" news magazines or shows which comment on politics or other news
- unlike in the US, a so called "serious" show like 60 Minutes, wouldn''t ask president Bush (or any other) to comment on his personal life, especially as at the time of the interview, Sarko''s divorce was only a rumor...

[clarksinfla]

To hear CBS advertise the interview with President Sarkozy I expected to see someone quite upset throwing their mic and earpiece at the interviewer. Instead I saw the President of France politely refuse to answer questions of a personal nature. You obviously have never witnessed someone ''storm'' out of a room or throw a tantrum. Niether of which Pres. Sarkozy did. Instead, you chose to insult one of our oldest allies at a time when things seemed to be looking up for Franco-American relations. Shame on you CBS. We expect better from you.

[jgould15]

I was ambivalent about the interview with President Sarko. I think that it was wonderful that 60 Minutes was able to obtain this interview and introduce us to this new president that may be capable of bridging the differences between our countries. But I was embarrassed by the questions concerning President Sarko''s marriage. Frankly, it is none of our business what goes on between him and his wife. Asking such questions is tantamount to asking how did you feel when your child was buried in a mud slide. Please do not tell me that is the information that Americans want. If it is, no wonder the French think we are stupid.

[jn4ggs]

im afraid that i dont understand the criticism of ms stahl. i agree that it is unfortunate that the personal life of france''s new president dominated the story but that is what he did not want to talk about so that is what the journalist is going to go on about. perhaps the criticism partially comes form different expectations of the french press? i dont know anything about the french press.

it appears that big change is coming to france, if the people are ready

[buttan-2009]

Sarkozy behaves like a perfect *** let alone the hypocrite he is. Lesley Stahl was perfectly right in asking him about his wife as NOONE has been as shamelessly concerned about going public about his private life than Sakorzy himself let alone noone has been manipulating the media like him not since princess Diana. Now that it is running out of his hands because of the carrousels he started he behaves atrociosly towards Lesley Stahl and the American public a few days before a state visit. Stahl revealed this man has no class.

[jn4ggs]

"Once again the lib media shows how classless they can be and congrats to Sarko. He was a complete gentleman toward your dopey Leslie Stahl, who did not display anything close to diplomacy. What possessed her to antagonize the man. She deserved to get skunked and should be reprimanded. Maybe Rush should send HER a letter.

Republican presidential candidates get the same treatment, especially Rudy, Fred and Romney and they should call the MSM''''s on it."

the right believes its the presses job to ask only the questions that those in power want to answer and to repeat the talking points. your statement shows your total lack of what journalism entails. basically, its only news if someone in power doesnt want it to get out. anything else is just a commercial.

[stephanela]

A French living in LA, who, like Sarko, loves so many things about the US.
I believe Ms. Stahl should be really ashamed about her interview of a foreign president and such a lack of class and poor interest of her questions. I''m not a big fan of O''Reilly and his opinions but I''m sure he would have done a much better job finding intelligent questions! Maybe The Insider has a job for Ms. Stahl, 60 Minutes shouldn''t...

[vivesarko]

Mrs Leslie Stahl,

You had a wonderful opportunity to make an interesting portrait of France''s new President. He is unlike any of his predecessors. He wants to reform the country, regardless of whether it costs him his reelection. With a lot of courage, he has started a lot of reforms that our country needs. Did you talk about any of these? No! Instead, you grimace, at the beginning of the interview, to suggest that he should calm down and you insist on asking personal questions that are really uninteresting and just private. May I just ask this: Would you have behaved the same way with an American President or is your condescending attitude a mark of disdain for anybody not American?

Also, I was shocked and outraged by the presentation you made of President Sarkozy, stating that he wanted to get rid of scum... How dare you say things that are so devoid of truth? You think this web of lies is investigational journalism? I call this misinformation! You have done a poor job and I hope our President never sits again for an interview with CBS. The United States of America is a great country and our friend and ally and your way of working is unworthy of the Democracy you are representing. Shame on you!