Obama and Rahm Emanuel seem critical towards Hollande as well. Maybe they are just glad they can distinguish themselves from the embodiment of the socialist brand.

I've always found that speech interesting. Sarkozy is fluent in English, and chose to address us in French. While that may just be a Frenchman being obstinate, I think he was targeting his own people in the speech as much or even moreso than our own.

The reason why he speaks in French is French law requires all of its public officers to do so. This is why in EU discussions French business groups can speak to the other national parties and thus can sucessfully get what they want in negoations whereas the trade unions who are gov't supported must speak in french and once the translators get turned on no one really pays attention. ;)

The mistake of Sarko was he squandered his chance to do something big.. and if he did something big domestically to change the direction of the French society his domestic issues would have been an interesting and helpful diversion and not the cross that cost him his reelection.