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Carlamania Continues
Having won over the British, the Sarkozy show has left London, and the President has returned to France to face the trickier task of reforming France's stubborn economy. Throughout the weekend, however, the British newspapers continued to bask in the afterglow left by Carla Bruni.
Sunday supplements were packed with reviews of her fashion choices and advice for women hoping to "get the look"; other features drew parallels between France's first lady, Jackie Kennedy and Grace Kelly.
Naturally, the Guardian and the Independent published a carping columns by female hacks who disapproved of the praise heaped upon Mme Bruni, but the press coverage was overwhelmingly positive: Mission accomplished, as Sarkozy himself might say.
But what about Sarko himself? How did he impress British observers?
There were quite a few remarks about the President's lack of stature: A photo of Bruni's flat pumps beside her husband's stacked heels appeared in a few newspapers. EURSOC noted that Sarkozy's stirring oratory about Britain's war record moved parliamentarians so greatly that they failed to notice the pro-EU second half of the speech.
But for someone really touched by the President, look no further than US dramatist and critic Bonnie Greer, who writes in the Independent on Sarkozy's testosterone-fuelled charisma:
"Suddenly, the lift door opened and a tsunami poured into the room. This had happened to me only once. The first time it was Bill Clinton, a man who could make you feel as if you were the only person in the room while surrounded by a multitude. Nicolas Sarkozy can do the same thing.
"The camera is a cruel machine. There are some people the camera does not love. In his soft blue suit, dark blue tie and beautifully crafted shoes, he was a walking energy field. A hundred per cent testosterone, the way that Russell Crowe is and Daniel Craig coming out of the water in those Speedos or Denzel Washington in Training Day (...)
"The President of the Republic walked straight up to me and introduced himself as he shook my hand. "I am Nicolas Sarkozy," he said with a big grin. I'll say and every woman in that room, from baroness to the ladies who served coffee, knew it.
"Legend has it that Sarkozy was invited to a dinner party and was seated between his hostess and Carla. He said to his hostess: "Excuse me, madame, but I will have to turn my back on you." Then he devoted his entire conversation to Madame Bruni.
"No wonder she married him.
"Like his policies or not. Hate his Ray-Bans, his big nose, the bling, his penchant for holidaying on the yachts of tycoons, his big mouth, whatever. Sarkozy is hot. Carla's the one who's lucky."
Phew. Sounds like Britain needs a cold shower after this visit.
