Gardian Posted October 2, 2006 Share Posted October 2, 2006 There was a short piece about Marie-Segolene Royal at the tail-end of tonight's BBC1 10 o'clock News.Apparently, she's 53 and they showed a 5 sec clip of her when she was working with Mitterand, probably 10 yrs or more ago. Looked pretty dour then. Prompted me to dig out Saturday's Midi-Libre which showed her doing some kind of politicking down here last week. Bit different now! Face-lift, or what?!!! MCP du Gard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Riff-Raff Element Posted October 3, 2006 Share Posted October 3, 2006 Why does anyone care what she looks like? Can she do the job? I think her attempt to secure the nomination will be scuppered by themore traditional wing of her party (ie, the male bit) and the obsessionthe media seem to have with how she looks and what she wears is doingeveryting to help ensure that they succeed. What I find more depressingis that female commentators seem to be as happy to colude in this asmales.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorky Posted October 3, 2006 Share Posted October 3, 2006 Probably not. This is a woman, and of the socialist persuasion to boot. Perhaps Sarko is the better choice after all he has made a few little squeaks about modernisation.Yorky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miki Posted October 3, 2006 Share Posted October 3, 2006 Not so sure Jon, the more I see and read about her chances to lead the Socialists, the more I think she may just be their choice. She has close on 50% support, so as it stands at the moment, she is almost there but................Yorky, she is of a different party to Sarkozy and I think Jon is sayingthat she may not get the position within the socialists to challengeanyway. Whether she will beat Sarkozy is another matter. The electionhere will be quite an interesting time, for sure !Much more fun than the Blair, Brown and you can call me Dave stuff ! And more "local" as well..................[;-)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaligoBay Posted October 3, 2006 Share Posted October 3, 2006 I was going to ask you all. Who's your money on for next president?NOT who you would vote for!I think mine's on Sarko. If he wins it will be for purely superficial reasons, but isn't that what politics is about? Got to look good and all that. Thatcher knew it, Blair knew it, Ségo is learning it.Sarko is a consummate professional. What you see is a man of action, he's everywhere, he's busy, finger on the pulse, gives the impression that he's actually doing something. You don't have to be an avid follower of the news to feel that you have been Sarko'd. Ségo, OTOH, gets talked about a lot, but I don't see her out there getting her hands dirty. I don't want to hear vague, meaningless things like "action sociale", I don't want or need to know that she has 5 children, I'd like to know (without major research) what she is actually going to do. I haven't been Ségo'd yet.I warned you it was superficial! [:)] But that's the level of most people's politics, really. Yes, even in France! Here are the candidates http://www.lapresidentielle.info/candidats/?candidats Georges Fernandez is the obvious choice, don't you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Posted October 3, 2006 Share Posted October 3, 2006 I never realised there were so many potential candidates - I knew there were a lot, but SB's list shows 72 actual and possible candidates. I agree, I thnk it has to be Sarko. Not because I have any desire for him to win, but I can't really imagine any of the others being finally elected. I suppose one good thing about him is that he might take some of the far right support from the last election, so we could see a more realistic contest. I can't imagine he will get a lot of backing in our commune (a lot of whom were FN last time), but then with only about 50 voters he won't be too bothered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Riff-Raff Element Posted October 3, 2006 Share Posted October 3, 2006 [quote user="Miki"]Not so sure Jon, the more I see and read about her chances to lead the Socialists, the more I think she may just be their choice. She has close on 50% support, so as it stands at the moment, she is almost there but................Yorky, she is of a different party to Sarkozy and I think Jon is sayingthat she may not get the position within the socialists to challengeanyway. Whether she will beat Sarkozy is another matter. The electionhere will be quite an interesting time, for sure !Much more fun than the Blair, Brown and you can call me Dave stuff ! And more "local" as well..................[;-)][/quote]If the PS have an ounce of sense, they will put her forward, I agree.But there are a lot of bruised male egos in the PS at the moment due toher rapid rise, and we know how silly things can in those circs.She is the only candidate in my view who has a prayer against Sarko (always assuming hegets the nomination). If it comes to a straight fight between Sarko andRoyal I think it will be close, but as things stand I think the winnerwill be the Hungarian. Mind you, I've been wrong before . Kinnock in'92 for example. I was living in Holland at the time and watched onDutch TV. Laugh? They almost wet themselves. I had to go into work thenext day and defend British sanity. A tough task at the best of times,but in the face of such compelling evidence to the contrary..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexis Posted October 3, 2006 Share Posted October 3, 2006 Jospin did Ségo a power of good the other day when he implied women weren't as good as men...Wonderfull.Then we had the dirty tricks with the papers publishing that her brother had blown up The Rainbow Warrior. I can't be doing with her. She ought to get herself married and be like us common lot. Sinner!I think Sarky is more use in the street so to speak. What good does a President do? Apart from Jacques, of course, who is a wonderfull man. Sarky would be better toughening the laws and sorting out the delinquents.Apart from that, I couldn't care less. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SC Posted October 3, 2006 Share Posted October 3, 2006 "I think the winner will be the Hungarian"18 months or so ago I read that the French wouldn't elect a foreigner as president. For a few days I asked all the locals that I came across what they thought of him, and almost to a man/woman their first words were "he's not French". Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaligoBay Posted October 3, 2006 Share Posted October 3, 2006 His name may be Nicolas Paul Stéphane Sárközy de Nagy-Bócsa, but he was born in Paris, and he is French.I don't know anyone who likes him, but they dislike him because of his policies, not his ancestry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miki Posted October 3, 2006 Share Posted October 3, 2006 Well been online to see what my Bookie will offer and it is Even money Sarkozy and 2-1 Mme Royale but what do they know [;-)]The money is pouring in for Hilary Clinton, to not only lead theDemocrats but to also go on to win the next Presidential election.Around 7/4 being best price.So at the moment, I think I may just have a little flutter on the two Ladies to lead their respective countries [:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Trollope Posted October 3, 2006 Share Posted October 3, 2006 [quote user="yorky"]Probably not. This is a woman, [/quote]'nuff said.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Trollope Posted October 3, 2006 Share Posted October 3, 2006 [quote user="Miki"]Well been online to see what my Bookie will offer and it is Even money Sarkozy and 2-1 Mme Royale but what do they know [;-)]The money is pouring in for Hilary Clinton, to not only lead the Democrats but to also go on to win the next Presidential election. Around 7/4 being best price.So at the moment, I think I may just have a little flutter on the two Ladies to lead their respective countries [:)][/quote]Which are about the same odds on you getting arrested the next time you set foot on US soil, for placing the bet on line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miki Posted October 3, 2006 Share Posted October 3, 2006 Are you sure about the good ole U.S of A ? I had 2 winners online onBreeders day last year, will that make it worse, mind you I had 3losers as well !! [:)] If they think I am getting a plane all theway over there to put on a wee bet, they gotta be joking !Funny really, they can bomb the crap out of countries but place a bet online and.............I read the other week that it is supposed to be illegal in France, asthe state (in the guise of the PMU) has a monopoly on that type ofbetting, strange rules abound I reckon.................[:(] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexis Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 It is illigal in France. There was a big hu-ha earlier this week. (Can you tell I didn't really take any notice?)Ségoléne Royale was not born in France. Was it the Gambia or Cameroon? Anyway, she was there earlier this week. Another story I didn't listen to...I'm hopeless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Riff-Raff Element Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 Giscard was born in Germany (Koblentz) and that never stopped him. LéonBlum was Jewish and still got elected. Patrice MacMahon was Irish inthe same way that Sarko is Hungarian. A whiff of "foreign" is notalways a bar to to the highest office in France, it would seem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SC Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 [quote user="SaligoBay"] His name may be Nicolas Paul Stéphane Sárközy de Nagy-Bócsa, but he was born in Paris, and he is French.I don't know anyone who likes him, but they dislike him because of his policies, not his ancestry.[/quote]I didn't say they disliked him (because he was seen as foreign), I was repeating what I had read and found that my French aquaintances had the same view. I sounded them out because I thought that the writer who was British, was peceptive regarding ordinary French peoples' train of thought, that they often start with the pejoritive peculiarity when describing someone. Likewise, I think that SR is seen as completely French regardless of being born in Senegal. Perhaps it's the parents that set the scene, or more than likely, the father.Personally, I hope he or someone from his party gets in, the socialists here scare me silly. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaligoBay Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 [quote user="Sc"] the socialists here scare me silly. [/quote]Why's that, Steve? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miki Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 Yes, I am rather curious about that as well. I have been ruledby a few governements here, of either ilk and to be honest, unless Ireally look hard.... I can't see the join (who said that........?.....[:)] ) I do think we get better scandals with theRepublicans though, or in Sarkoy's case the UMP (Republican !!) [:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Riff-Raff Element Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 [quote user="Miki"] I do think we get better scandals with theRepublicans though, or in Sarkoy's case the UMP (Republican !!) [:D][/quote]Generally, yes, though Mitterand's surprise daughter was quite a goodie.From the standpoint of my day-to-day life, I agree that it really doesnot not matter too much who is in charge here. Change in France is slowand steady, so neither of them (Royal and Sarko) are going to set theworld on fire. We just have to hope that whoever gets the poisonedchalice is halfway competent. Objectively, they both look OK on thatscore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miki Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 Ah but Jon,Sarkozy is very bolshy indeed in the way he says that France will betaken forward regardless of what people believe is right or wrong.I definitely agree it needs something done but the way heintimates he will force through changes to benefit France'scommerce, along with jobs is reminiscent of many leadersbefore.....[;-)] and that's without his severe propositions to counter violence!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaligoBay Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 Oh Miki, you've done it now. The thought of being severely propositioned by Sarko has spoiled my whole day. I feel all sort of trembly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Riff-Raff Element Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 [quote user="Miki"]Ah but Jon,Sarkozy is very bolshy indeed in the way he says that France will betaken forward regardless of what people believe is right or wrong.I definitely agree it needs something done but the way heintimates he will force through changes to benefit France'scommerce, along with jobs is reminiscent of many leadersbefore.....[;-)] and that's without his severe propositions to counter violence!![/quote]He's still young and enthusiastic. He'll learn. [:D]He talks a tough talk, but at the end of it...as Interior Minister, hecould have instructed police involved in the riots last year to returnfire when they were shot at. That's what John Wayne would have done(and, and I am sorry to make such a sweeping generalisation but it ishard to imagine otherwise, most American politicos would too -"lawlessness must be countered with a firm hand to protect the vitalinterests of international capital - oooppps - the wellbeing of the lawabiding citizen" and no-one would have batted an eyelid over there).But (wisely) he didn't. He can jump up and down a judges' reticence to hand down sentences oftwenty years hard labour on dry bread and water to anyone caught in possession of a petrolbomb, but I think that is just a bit of staging to keep the Foaming Rightonboard. No politician has successfully countered the unwritten Right toRiot that is so important to the French way of life.So, deep down I think that he understands the rules. If hedoesn't, it will be interesting to watch what the populace do him. Of course, I can only pretend to understand the stinking cesspit that is the political mind, so I am probably yards wide of the mark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miki Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 [quote user="SaligoBay"]Oh Miki, you've done it now. Thethought of being severely propositioned by Sarko has spoiled my wholeday. I feel all sort of trembly.[/quote]If I get the same proposition from Mme Royal, I shall go all a tremblemeself....I simply cannot get that bikini out of mymind.............sad but true [:)] Anyone else trembling about l'unor l'autre ? [;-)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miki Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 [quote]Of course, I can only pretend to understand the stinking cesspit that is the political mind, so I am probably yards wide of the mark.[/quote]A mere few millimetres at most Jon [;-)] Mais merci dieu, there are some with good in their hearts, sadly theyare normally the new entrants ('97 Blaires Babes for instance) and astime goes on, the mature politicians put them "wise" and thus the cycleperpetuates....................I am looking forward to the political posturing and the "I'm the bestern for la Belle France" speeches, I just love to sit and boo the TV, it upsets the cat terribly...................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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