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

[RichardBraun]

I wonder what would have happened if he had just said I will not talk about my private life? Would Stahl have pursued it? Walking off was not conduct appropriate for a statesman. Nor was his shouting (last month) at a photographer while boating in Maine. Heads of state should have cooler heads. France is an atomic power and one cannot but wonder what this apparently political amateur would do when push comes to shove.

[hydenorhare]

He said he would have nothing to say about his wife to Stahl and she DID pursue it.

Buzz off, Leslie.

[kellygrrrl]

"Would Stahl have pursued it?"
absolutely!!!!

"Was there a third party involved?"
"When were you last intimate?"
"Are you dating?"

typical American journalism
MSM should stand for Middle School Mentality

[ChrisR]

Excellent points. Just what we need today, another Loose Cannon in the world.

[Horst]

Hillary Clinton has a big temper...d­oes that disqualify her from the Presidency?

[LaFeminazi]

Sarkozy Approval Drops; 89% Say Divorce Is Private, Poll Shows

By Rudy Ruitenberg

Oct. 20 (Bloomberg) -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy's popularity declined to 59 percent in October compared with a month earlier, according to an Ifop poll. Some 89 percent said his divorce this past week is a private matter.

The number of people interviewed who said they were satisfied with Sarkozy as president fell from 61 percent in September, based on the poll to be published in tomorrow's Le Journal du Dimanche. The number of dissatisfied respondents rose to 39 percent from 36 percent a month earlier.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601090&sid=aSZQ9FClJ0RU&refer=france

Note after the election Sarkozy's popularity was nearly 80%.

Why is it dropping?

Well he is making a lot of noise (as usual) but doing very little.

The only thing he is doing is immigration, they great fear factor of the right.

As for the rest he still cant say where the money will come from to pay for his initiatives.

[PixieThis]

The far right loves running on fear, but never wants to pay for it.

[only1Demvoter]

Pixie : ... has NO intention of EVER paying for it !!

And way too disingenuous to ' own ' it either... Right, Right ??

-ralph

[frenchstudent]

Actually such a progression is quite common in France.

After the election , the french public is wiling to give the new official a chance and say it is happy until anything the new guy does can have a reasonnable influence.

It is also rather normal to have a very low (by aericn standards) approval ratio in the end of the mandate. After all, we, as a nation, love to complain.

[cryhavoc]

Was I watching the revered News Magazine 60 Minutes or did I stumble upon a rerun of The View? Ms. Stahl begins to show her lightweight qualifications on a show which ought to have some gravitas. This is National Enquirer claptrap and Stahle knows it. One day, our politicians are going to turn the tables on this razzle dazzle press game. Perhaps the interviewer ought to fess up about his/her private life, too??!! Fair game! Too bad Sarkozy didn't ask Stahl about her personal relationships. Enough! Let's get to the big stuff and dump the Monica mentality.

[ParacleteofKavorka]

You're right. During the Lewinsky thing, you'd think reporters had never heard of or experienced oral sex before. It was as though they were discussing necrophilia or something.

[doglove]

that's because the media is owned by rethuglicans like Murdoch.

We know now that they don't understand straight vanilla sex, blow jobs,etc. Things they don't understand they always seek to destroy.

Line up a cute alter boy or an underage senate page or a hot young cop in a mens room and they be jumpin jack flash.

bend over mAnn Coulter. That's what sex looks like to them.

[bluesky49876]

This man is head of a country and cannot handle a question like that? For a leader, he is too immaturish and short-fused.

[RevMetheus]

Ask Bush about his daughters or Cheney about his and then see about immaturish and short fused. Ask Edwards about his wife's cancer, or Guiliani about his past marriages.

[transendentilist]

It's not a short fuse, it is contempt for meaningless drivel, that our media insists on displaying.

[misterbone]

Why does it fall upon me to always state what is painfully obvious? I'm tired of pointing at "naked emperors" here at HuffPo, but here goes:

EACH AND EVERY NATION ON EARTH HAS A VESTED INTEREST IN THE PERSONAL WELL-BEING OF ITS LEADERS.

Do I have to explain why?

Now, back to the inane commentary.

[BlueBoomer]

24 hours ago I was on a plane back from Paris/Corsica (despite the AirFrance strike!).

When we left for France, I was concerned that being an American I would experience less than pleasant attitudes from the French...A­nd then there is the embarassment factor that I felt as someone who might have been thought of as having helped put that "homme bete" George Bush in charge of the US -- TWICE. (which I emphatically AM NOT!)

I am happy to report that armed with just high-school French (from 40 years ago), a dictionary, good pronounciation, and an appearance more European than American, WE WERE TREATED TOTALLY GRACIOUSLY BY VIRTUALLY EVERYONE WE INTERRACTED WITH (except for one attitudinal waiter, but oh, well).
And 30 years ago, I had a similar experience in Spain.

Also, watching the French news stations, I don't recall any mention of Sarkosy's personal situation.

Point being, that the French ARE intolerant of ignorant, or arrogant or boorish Americans.­..

(Isn't it too bad that more AMERICANS aren't?)

And that a supposedly respected American journalists stoop to pander to the lowest COMMON denominator is proof positive that
WE ARE OUR OWN WORST ENEMY... AND EACH DAY IT SEEMS MORE AND MORE LIKE WE'RE LOSING THE BATTLE.

We need to elevate ourselves.
We need to elevate excellence.
We need JOE BIDEN in the White House.

He's RESPECTED, he's ELECTABLE, and HE CAN LEAD US UP AND OUT OF THE PIG WALLOW WE'RE IN NOW.

TRUTH TO POWER --> POWER TO THE PEOPLE.
BIDEN/Richardson.

[PixieThis]

I don't think how you looked was a factor at all. I've never had a problem traveling in Europe or other countries when I make an effort to be as courteous as possible and make sure that I know at least please and thank you in the language of the country.

I'm just saying that it's attitude more than it's a look or a knowledge of the language.

[FrankAusTx]

Totally agree -- it's not how you look that is important in France.

My experience as a tourist who looks very American (I'm a big guy) is that if I start any conversation with "Bon jour" or "Bon soir" and end with "Merci pour tout -- au revoir," I'm always treated very graciously (which I reciprocate). In almost all of these conversations, a lot of English (and sometimes Spanish) is used. And there are plenty of smiles and laughs.

I inadvertently tested this one afternoon in Paris when I went from store to store looking for shoes (I wear a US 14 EEE). Needless to say, I didn't buy any shoes but I did meet lots of extremely nice and friendly Parisian salespeople.

[LaFeminazi]

Its mainly in the written press.

TV in France is a nightmare, most of the journalists are either married to or having an affair with someone from the political class.

TFI is a joke.

FR2 &3 are state owned.

Arte is weird most of the time

M6 is for the brain dead or very young.

[PixieThis]

So M6 is the equivalent of the faux news of the trolls? ;)

[transendentilist]

Blue boomer, great post. Man beast is a good way to descibe bush.
My daughter taught English to high school age French kids. They pretty much shared the same opinion of Americans. That is to say, they think we are a country of uneducated rubes. My daughter told them that not all Americans are like what the French see of us in the news.
I don't blame Sarkosy for walking out. And Leslie Stahl should have known better. Like you say, enough of this simple-minded infatuation with people's personal lives. Ce nes pas tre intelligent.

[ParacleteofKavorka]

The worst part is that Stahl is probably proud of herself for being a 'hard hitting journalist'. Nothing fazes these idiot reporters. Did Chris Wallace crawl back under a rock after Clinton bitch slapped him? No. He just kept going like nothing happened. In fact, Fox News was happy to get Clinton angry like they won a point.

[misterbone]

"Also, watching the French news stations, I don't recall any mention of Sarkosy's personal situation.­"

Just read this week's Paris Match. It's the cover story. Sheesh.

[Dameon1976]

Vive l'irrévérence française.
I remember Francois Mitterand doing the same thing to a belgian journalist. I'm not his fan and i hate his plan to use DNA to screen immigrants. Why not asking tough questions about his policies? Looking at what corporate medias in this country have become... All i can say is...

Bravo Monsieur le président!!!

[LaFeminazi]

Someone earlier whined but but Sarkozy cant speak English (not true), however neither can Bush.

Which is more important to the populations concerned?

[hope]

I just read that myself and find it amusing.

Sadly, it's not just Bush it is the majority of America that can barely speak English.

I also enjoyed the comment about the French being lazy.

Annoying, yes. Lazy, no. :)

The French have been around for awhile now. America, I'm not so sure will make another century.

[transendentilist]

Did you know that roughly 60% of all English "words," are of French origin?

[RevMetheus]

I wouldnt go that far. A lot of English is from the Romantic languages, yes, and revolutionary America garnered a lot of its early governmental words from French, but the majority of the English language is Germanic.

[frenchstudent]

You know, I grew up in the town where he was mayor when he was, and I do believe he does speak a passable english. The question is, why should he have to? Don't foreign leaders et a translatr in your country?

[LDW]

That 60 Minutes would even consider wasting any time at all on Sarkozy's marital problems is an indicator of how insipid, tasteless, and uniformative this show has become. Unfortunately, most American prime time shows have sunk to the Jerry Springer/Survivor level of broadcasting. Absolute Rubbish!

[GarsLuber]

Definitely Fox/Drudge material

If Sarkozy's wife was blonde, this would be front page news for the chicken hawks.

[notyourproblemYET]

absolutely right.But it is more than the Springer phenomenom­.It is just another sacrafice to the gods of "Americans MUST be kept dumb at all costs to the integerity of the media".

[bhumikaghimire]

i support Sarko..jou­rnalists have no business asking you about your personal life. why couldn't CBS ask him about his foreign policy, domestic issues or say about France's image problem.

[memojames]

Several decades ago, a young Barbara Walters interviewed Fidel in Cuba. She asked him about his love life. I was so furious, I have hated Walters ever since. Welcome to the fold Leslie!

[wmbear]

ALL 60 MINUTES INTERVIEWS ARE STUPID...

Didn't Sarkozy know that when he agreed to do it?

[LaFeminazi]

Sarkozy is a media whore, anything to get himself on TV is good to go.

[transendentilist]

No, because not everybody thinks as you do. Sixty minutes used to be an excellent journalistic program. They were number one in investigative journalism. That is no longer the case, and Sarkosy found out the hard way.
I say good for Sarkosy.
We have such an inane cult of celebrity in this country that is embarrassing.

[nomoron]

Wouldn't it be great to see American candidates walk out of an interview being conducted by supposed mainstream journalists clearly more interested in ratings than the ethical reporting of relevant news? If they could perhaps competent individuals would step forward to lead a nation once admired and revered as a beacon of hope by millions around the world. Instead we're doomed to the narcisstic and greedy who have little regard for those they lead.
To Mr. Sarkozy I say, "Congratulations for possessing the integrity not to respond to the inappropriate inquiries of tabloid journalism­."
To CBS and 60 Minutes I say, "Shame on you for perpetrating the fraud and deception that has diverted your viewers attention from the most important issues of our time. If I wanted to read or hear about this kind of crap I'd pick up a magazine that at least doesn't try to hide behind the cloak of legitimacy­."

[transendentilist]

Nicely put nomormon. And highly accurate.

[ghg]

The idea that the press can intrude on anything anytime is tantamount to the idea that a totalitarian leader can intrude on anything anytime he wants. Obviously, in a free country the person being harrassed can get up and walk out a la Sarkozy. The fact that the pain of his personal life was most certainly not for the marketplace and that he made that perfectly clear only heightens any sense of this man's integrity. I applaud his decision. Leslie Stahl was doing her job......b­ut, for who and why?

[freespeach]

Leslie Stahl was doing the dance that most of our mass media is doing.
Avoid real news but attempt to maintain the myth that journalists are tough but talking about dirty underwear.

Think back a few weeks when Lara Logan gave the Blackwater mercenary a hand-job and a kiss on the cheek, and called it journalism.
They (60 Minutes) have been getting crucified for that disgusting bit of pandering to Eric Prince by Logan.
So now this pretend journalism by Stahl to compensate? Whatever.

The US mass media is the enemy of the people, the enemy of the truth.

[DumbDad]

"The US mass media is the enemy of the people, the enemy of the truth."
Damn! You go, Peach!

[Alvin4NY]

I honestly feel like the American public is holding it's breath each day, waiting...­.just waiting for some journalist to have some real balls and do their job. For those of us who saw this administration for what it was way back in 2000, it's been a long seven years. Whenever I see anyone do an interview worth it's salt, or when I see an engagement like the one we saw on Real Time, both with the Protester last week, and then again with Wesley Clark and Andrew Sullivan this week, I feel like it's ok to exhale, and breathe for a bit. Like a huge relief that someone, finally-said something, and got excited about it, showed some emotion, like they might even be pissed off. Enough is enough with the fake news, celebrity bullshit, and evasion of truth. WHERE ARE THE REAL JOURNALISTS? PLEASE STAND AND BE COUNTED..

[citipearl]

Is Leslie Stahl a gossip tabloid reporter or a news reporter? What is going on at CBS (formerly respectable and ethical)? First they hand Katie Couric the evening anchor spot (and she continues to prove she cannot do "real news" -- has no crediblity) and now this stupidity with the leader of a major European country.

We already have enough trouble with the way in which BushCO deals with foreign leaders and the way in which America is viewed (as a bunch of dumbed-down yahoos). Could someone in the media pretend they're interested in world issues (not celeb gossip)?

[ChiMan1]

Thanks! LaserBob
I had never seen (YouTube) the misinformed Irish Media Witch, questioning Bush. Contrary to your assesment I thought Bush was GREAT!!!
You can find Whinney liberals all over the world, hoping for a sunny day, every day, with never a cloud insight, THIS IS NOT the REAL WORLD. Saddam was a MENACE, and Iraq one day will be looked back upon as a dramatic change in the never ending chaos that is the Mid-East.
Regards!

[zephyrus]

Just remember, Effexor does have some nasty side effects.

[amerdiaspora]

HEY CHI, BETTER FIRST GET A STRAIT JACKET THEN CHECK INTO THE LAUGHING ACADEMY. BUSH GREAT IN WHICH WAY; KILLING MORE CIVILIANS THAN SADDAM? (HE HAS THE RECORD FOR EXICUTIONS AS A GOVERNER INT HE US AS WELL) IGNORING HIS THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN HIS OWN COUNTRY? ELIMINATING PERSONAL FREEDOMS IN THE US? BECOMING THE CLOSEST THING TO DESPOTISM SINCE PRE-1776 IN THE US? BREAKING LAW OF GOVERNING SINCE BEING APPOINTED AS PRESIDENT? PLUNGING THE US TWARDS THIRD WORLD STATUS? PLEASE CLEARIFY THIS FOR ME: CHEERS!

[andyboy]

Dumb post of the day award is split between ChiMan1 & wm1066. Great job guys. Inanity and ignorance all in two posts.

[wm1066]

Thanks!

[andyboy]

You should boycott something french. Like maybe you could stop french-kissing other guys anuses. Or is that ani?

[misterbone]

"....and Iraq one day will be looked back upon as a dramatic change in the never ending chaos that is the Mid-East."

Yes, a dramatic change for the worse. And that day is here.

[wm1066]

Hmmm,Sarky couldn't handle a stupid question from a bobble head! He had to run away.
If he had true franco wit he would have taken her apart in front of her own audience.

[andyboy]

Sure that's one way to look at it. A stupid way but hey you tried.

[transendentilist]

It's not Sarky. It's Sarkosy. He did the right thing. I would have walked out also. The American news media has been going downhill ever since Walter Chronkite and Eric Sevareid left the business.
America has become such an embarrasment.