[Ishmael]

An interesting take on Sarkozy from Wayne Madsen:
http://www.waynemadsenreport.com/

April 26, 2007 -- Defeated French centrist candidate Francois Bayrou lashed out at right-wing candidate Nicolas Sarkozy yesterday by calling Sarkozy a French version of Italy's former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. Berlusconi governed with the support of Italy's neo-Fascist party.
Although Bayrou has, so far, refused to endorse either Sarkozy or Royal, Bayrou's vigorous denunciation of Sarkozy compared with his mild criticism of Royal's economic policies is certain to influence which candidate Bayrou's 18% of the vote in the first round will go in the second round. There is the possibility that Bayrou may still endorse Royal after a surprise agreement by Bayrou to debate Royal before her much anticipated debate with Sarkozy on May 2. Bayrou said Royal is more well-intentioned "as far as democracy is concerned."
Bayrou said Sarkozy Nicolas Sarkozy "by his taste for intimidation and threats, will concentrate powers like never before." Bayrou attacked Sarkozy's pro-business platform as worse than that of either Ronald Reagan or Margaret Thatcher.

An "anyone but Sarko" coalition forming in France. Segolene Royal (above) picking up centrist support.

As an indication that Sarkozy is indeed another Berlusconi, with deep links to France's media elite, the Regional Daily Press Syndicate (SPQR) turned down a request to host the Royal-Bayrou debate. The Royal camp suspects that Sarkozy pressured SPQR to reject the offer. Bayrou has commented that Sarkozy resembles Berlusconi because of Sarkozy's close links with the "media powers." Sarkozy's neo-con media friends are now denouncing Royal and Bayrou for their debate, which is having the blowback effect of driving the Royal and Bayrou forces together. If Royal picks up a majority of Bayrou supporters, she could experience a convincing win at the polls, that is, if election fraud with e-voting machines has not been pre-planned by Sarkozy and the neo-cons.
While Royal and Bayrou use carefully couched language to describe Sarkozy, WMR's French sources have unabashedly referred to Sarkozy as a "little French Hitler" whose candidacy is supported by neo-con interests in the United States, Britain, Italy, and Israel.
The second round election is May 6.