Sarkozy Walks Out Of 60 Minutes Interview: "If I Had Something To Say About [My Wife] I Would Not Do So Here"

Watch French President Sarkozy walk out of a 60 Minutes interview he called "stupid" and a "big mistake."

Read more about the interview below and on Huff Wires:

France's president abruptly ended a "60 Minutes" interview aimed at introducing him to U.S. audiences, dubbing it "stupid" and a "big mistake" and refusing to answer questions about his wife.

Before the CBS news show interview in Paris even began, Sarkozy called his press secretary "an imbecile" for arranging the session on a busy day.

Comments

[InofTouch]

first am not shock that this is being mad bigger then it is, it not like this hasn't happen before

and your a public offical and wheather you like it or not...the public has a right to know because it could be something that effects

Plus how many people saw the whole episode or interview instead of just bit size clips that can just easily influence since 1992. Believe what you want to believe but sad your influnece by someone even if you believe your "independent"

[Imzadi]

I agree with your comments.

May I suggest a remedial English class and/or a remedial keyboarding class?

[cartach]

Obviously the person is not adept at speaking or writng in the English language or may have a disability.May I suggest you keep those kinds of comments to yourself.Do they make you feel a little superior in some way?

[Pippilin]

Mr. Sarkozy is not the American president, so
WE do NOT have "the right to know". Can you imagine George W. submitting himself to, let alone
anwering, personal questions? And with HIM, we DO have the right to know. Or at least we think we do.
I can't believe how coarse and vulgar the American media can be. Lesley was politely and firmly put in her place.

[rcampbell]

The public does NOT have a "right to know". His divorce is a private matter. His affairs and hers are their private business. Only People Magazine obscessed Americans think politicians' personal lives are theirs to know about. This is more Republican crap of wanting to control people's personal activities while exempting CORPORATIONS and CORPORATE EXECS from any kind of coroporate responsibilty. President Sarkozy is a conservative politician and for that I wish he had lost the election, but since his divorce has no bearing on his ability to be President and the french people don't care (very mature)the line of questions exposed the immaturity of the American press and he was right to walk out.

[Maryse]

But you shouldn't forget that He used the relationship with his wife in order to promote the "new couple era", usinga lot the media to do so.

Il has to be questionned if in one way you can use the media to promote youfamilly and when it is not going well not using the media anymore.

You have to admit that this is a double standart.

As a conservative (opportunist of course), part of his electoral voted for him because of this image of good, new couple. His Wife (cecilia) left him way before the election but kept it into secret to allow him a better chance to be elected. Different documents and especially one in French Gyana has benn organised in order to promote the new relation between the two, which shows again that Sarko has been using a lot the media. He stopped a book on his wife to be puclished. He arrange for a jounalist to be fired because he had published photos of Cecilia with her new boyfriend.

Thus, this is not a private matter anymore, this is a public matter that the president have been manipulated and orchatrated by the president.

I find his reaction with the journalist really hypocritical,childish, saying now i don't want to talk about it anymore. I wanted before and I don't wnat anymore

[SWG]

Has been already noted before but I will state anyway.

The PM of France asked the divorce question NOT to be raised before the interview started. This could have been an opportunity to pursue real journalism and not tabloid journalism but that was squandered Sawyer. He did the right thing by walking out. She did the wrong thing by not taking a hint and letting it drop. Perhaps that was par for the course in previous interviews (aka ambush journalism) and the idea of asking questions about a leaders divorce does have some impact on his leadership but if he said no and the interviewer agreed to the terms then it is 60 minutes not the PM of France that has egg on their face.

[frenchstudent]

Uuuuh, he's the president, not the PM. He has a PM working for him.

Otherwise I agree with you

[SWG]

Forgive my faux pas.

[Paris]

Who are Diane Sawyer/Katie Courick-are they the same person? and why does the President of France have to endure the idiotic questions. Perhaps if the US press had been less interested in Bill Clinton's sex life and more interested in Bush's lies we would not be in the mess we are in now. BTW compare this with the interview of GWB by Carol Coleman in 2004 for TV Ireland. Puts Diane Sawyer to shame.

[ltyr2002]

That was Leslie Stahl, smarty pants!

[Diaschisis]

Leslie Stahl, Diane Sawyer, Dana Perrino-is there a difference? Or, Katie Couric asking Condi Rice "do you loose your temper?",Incidentaly, the above mentioned Carol Coleman interview of Bush can be found on YouTube (along with the Couric/Rice interviews).

[BadChristian]

Rat-a-tat-tat

Sarkozy is fleeing... He's off and running from that lady reporter.

She asked about as simple a question as could be asked and he ran away...

[howdydostu]

She could have asked him about France's relationship with the Muslim world. She could have asked him about the euro versus the failing dollar. She could hae asked him about the future relationship under a new French government with the United States and the war on terrorism..BUT NOOOO. she asked him about Monica, um, I mean the former Mrs. Sarkosy.
The Foxation of our news has been failing the American public.

[BadChristian]

Bill wasn't married to Monica, and he didn't have kids with her, and he didn't campaign with her on stage.

What a joke.

This is like watching the Americans and the French have an aristocracy contest. Who has the most spoiled, bubble brat, hiding from questions every regular person has to answer and redefining "Masculinity" by crying about how mean the media is as his wife and kid walk away...

[howdydostu]

As Ameicsns we just don't get it.
There are far too many really IMPORTANT issues to talk about. Tabloid journalism just ain't where its at!
If Bill Clinton would have pulled a 'Sarkosy' we would be a far off better country today!!!
Stuart & Robert Wyman-Cahall
Las Vegas, NV 89142

[Harrier]

What is about women that they feethe nee to learn everything about your personal life ven if the don't know you. Is there nothing in her brain that she can think of f the President of another country? The guy did eveything he could to send her her a message. What a waste of time. Can you imagine, he you are a leader of state and some old prune starts asking about your personal life on National TVand has no interest in your country, its foreign affairs or the directon you are yo are tying to drive it?

Its almost like she was drunk.

The old batallic needs to be replaced like an old spark plug.

[JAA]

There has been a shift with reporters of late and watching Matt Lauer distasteful interview with Larry Craig and now with the leader of France? It is none of our business who these people are or are not, sleeping with. If the man is going through a painful divorce, the last thing he needs is an American "journalist" asking personal questions about his "personal" life. Turn the tables and see how Matt enjoys the questions about his troubled marriage, "What's the problem Matt? Rumor has it, you are a serial cheater." Or how about Leslie Moonves, President of CBS/60 Minutes, "Hey Les, I understand you had a girlfriend throughout your first marriage, how's does Julie Chen feel about your girlfriend?" It is tacky, catty and if they are going to continue to ask, they should be prepared to answer.

[BufoAmericanus]

Of all the nerve.

Next thing you know, people will be asking how the wife and kids are in everyday conversation!! How rude!

I'm looking for the journalist who has the guts to ask the Dicktator who hiss gransdkids daddy is. All this "How dare you" BS is shocking.

[BadChristian]

Only a Lefty Democrat would ask someone how the wife and kids are. Republicans know that it is always "Off-limits." And don't try to convince ANYONE that there was once a time that it was alright.

Thank God almighty that He has seen clear to show us this BEFORE Ruby gets her chance at president.

NOTHING is ANY of our business except mall shopping.

[Stevelagain]

When relationships are in trouble, it can be very very difficult emotionally on those in the relationship. I've seen people breaking up do insane things.

I think the French president probably did what he had to do emotionally, he walked away from the reporter that could not take a hint.

Had she been more subtle, she might have accepted his "no" the first time and gone on to have gotten a fine interview. I sort of feel sorry for the reporter, she wasn't mean, but she did appear slightly insensitive. He massively so depending on how you interpret it.

Of course, the French president has taken a verbal stand against Illegal Muslim immigration into his nation so radicalized liberals of course hate him. But I would say that as a conservative from France, he probably is to the left of Hillary Clinton!

[adigal]

Sarkozy is a typical conservative. He won't answer any questions he finds uncomfortable. Just like Bush.

[brooklyncitizen]

Ridiculous post. As if marital affairs are some lame American reporter's business, and how can not answering be compared to not answering questions about torture, the attorney general scandals, WMD false intelligence etc...get a grip.

[dumbosrus]

Congrats to Mr. Sarkozy on giving up on yet another piss poor 60 minutes interview.

60 Minutes just doesn't get it........

[steamboat]

Leslie Stahl is the perfect example of the token woman who got her job through affirmative-action and not ability.

[jerryfromcalifornia]

Yea, like Justice Thomas..........

[chilifan]

This hasn't got a thing to do with what gender the interviewer was. This has everything to do with how 60 minutes has become a lousy excuse for a show. Investigative reporting and exposing charlatans for what they were used to be what 60 minutes was all about. Their reporters, especially Mike Wallace, were feared by the powerful, as well as respected by the public.

Now Wallace has become an old fool, with an idiot son working for Fox. The wonderful Ed Bradley and other reporters from the show's previous excellent reporting days have left us. 60 minutes has grown old and lost it's teeth long ago. I have watched it less and less over the years, and quit watching altogether since the horribly weak Clarence Thomas interview. There simply is no real investigative reporting left on television unless it concerns some pathetic celebrity in trouble.

[Firaxis]

There are no real journalists on 60 Minutes and I agree with Mitt Romney on Hillary; we don't need another intern in the White House.

[GOPiousness]

Why are you using Democrat talking points? We shouldn't point out that GWB was unfit for the job he was given.

GWB was and is the most godly and devoutly Christian candidate that this great nation has ever had appointed. Just because the first 7 years of his term have been a sort of On the Job Training doesn't mean that he ever waivered from the GOP's priniples. Namely: making money, war in the name of God, and............well.........making money.

Even his initials bear that out. G.W.B.

God's Winning Blunder.

What more do you want of a President?

[steamboat]

(LOL)....Both of you are right.

[GOPiousness]

Since a good Republican and member of the most awesome religion ever like myself is not allowed to post on Obama's embrace of the Not Gay Today Gospel Tour, I'll post my thoughts, and by default, the thoughts of the Lord on this thread:

I would be willing to wager that if someone were to thrust their turgid member of the congregation in this man's face, he would gobble it up like a GOP Party Member in Good Standing.

We need men like this in our party. The GOP is TRULY the party of inclusion. Donny will always be welcomed. As long as he brings the favors.

[mexamerican]

what a shock: a french pussy.

[FilipeCastro]

These retarded journalist don't want to talk about anything relevant. I think that Sarkozy is a horrible guy but I am so happy he left that shallow creepy woman there, with her infantile questions unanswered. :o)

[BufoAmericanus]

Hooray for the castration of the American press? They shouldn't ask "important" people embarrassing questions about Cocaine use or their ex-spouses or anything that might make them react with an actual emotion and reveal a personality trait that is unflattering on television.

The American media should "Show respect" for the global Shogun class.

[brooklyncitizen]

Ridiculous.

THe change in France is significant. THere is plenty to talk about especially given the fact that America had been marginalized by the European Union, including Great Britain and the US becomes more and more irrelevant.


Yet Leslie thought she was Barbara Wawa and asked a completely inane question, and demanded a response. How typically American: rude and disrespectful.

[RevMetheus]

How about important questions like where the money, jobs, and rights went over the last decade. How about important questions about lies that get us into war, why we can drop hundreds of billions on war and not want to spend a dime for our own citizens. How about questions regarding the revolving door policy of lobbying-government work- then more lobbying?

Or for Sarkozy, how about questions regarding his new policies on religion, or the Euro, or the fact that "Old Europe" is becoming conservative?

Something thats actually important and addresses their job instead of the henhouse gossip?

[BarryChamplain]

Look, you tender little flowers, stop with all the "Good for him! This is not news!" BS.

He's a world leader. He was getting a divorce. It's news. Deal with it ("Henry VII... you're King of England... now, if you were a TREE...?" :-).

As for the comments about his being a... what was that word, again? Oh, "douchebag", mmm yes...

Okay, he's a douchebag. Pardonnez-moi, but wasn't all the hype about this douchebag that he was supposed to be the conservative Bush equivalent, in France?

So, exactly what part of any of his condescending, asshole behavior surprises any of you? As for hanging it on the Obnoxious French, the only thing you can blame them for was electing this asshole.

By that standard, a pox on all of you, for allowing Bush to be elected. Like, twice. Glass houses, kiddies.

[BarryChamplain]

(... I dunno, I TYPED it as "Henry THE EIGHTH"..?)

[BufoAmericanus]

Bravo.

[HumeSkeptic]

Excellent, Barry. Excellent.

[brooklyncitizen]

Exactly how is he like Bush?

[RevMetheus]

He is pushing a more conservative, more capitalist "CEO-style" government.