In the grand scheme of things I just don't think Americans really care about France at this point. At the margin I guess we would prefer a France that shares our worldview a bit more but in the end it really doesn't matter to us. What can the French do but talk? In fact what can most of Europe do but talk? Talk about everything but act on nothing. So a friendly France would be as much a help to us as an obstinate France was a hindrance, i.e. none whatsoever. As France becomes more islamic its hard to see how a more friendly France could be anything more than a short-term blip anyway. Ultimately, its politics are going to have to reflect that demographic reality if it doesn't already. As for the wanting of "yes" friends vs. "no" friends its hard to keep a friend who always says no and never says yes. We really only feel unqualified friendship in our national psyche towards Britain and Australia.

DC, Somewhere, USA

I am amused by the pro-French words of my fellow Americans in this thread. I live and work in a very conservative area of Florida. Most of the politically aware people I know view France as an active enemy of the USA. France not only undermines the USA at every opportunity, but they sell weapons and nuclear technology to our enemies. One new French president won't change this view of France for many US conservatives. They are really no better than the Russians, with the added problem of a growing and violent Muslim population. Add to this the fact that France has a nuclear arsenal, and it's not too extreme to think they could be as unstable and dangerous as Pakistan within a generation. I've traveled widely in Europe, so don't dismiss this view as uninformed American parochialism.

In my view, the only three nations that conservative Americans instinctively trust are England, Australia, and Japan.

Anoton, Orlando, FL, USA

@ "Mike Cassidy"
Well, as a frenchman I can tell you I feel humiliated each time some of my country fellows bashes the USA. Not because I agree with the war in Irak, which I certainly do not, but because I've been grown up with the feeling that the USA are our friends and allies.

I often hink about the poor Texas guy that left his farm to die in Normandy, and I feel ashamed for those in France who forgot that. I remember my grandmother tailing me how the americain soldiers, during WW2, and despite they weren't that rich eiother, offered their chocolate to the children in the french villages they travelled through...

And I can tell you I'm far from being the only thinking that way in France. Just give it a chance and you'll be amazed to see how easily americanism can born again amongts french people.

Just one thing not to forget anyway : as someone yet pointed out, the true friend is not the one always saying "yes".

Julien, Nantes, France

I don't yet see a sea change in France. A majority of a large electorate chose Sarkozy for many different reasons. However, that same electorate chose the present Parliament, and in a free country those legislators cannot have acted in ignorance of their voters wishes, the legislative body of France has not been noted as having objected to Chirac's stance toward the U.S. Sarkozy is seen as having set before himself the task of gaining a majority in later elections. I don't expect him to. Even if he does, it won't be because the French want to be America's best friends. Perhaps the voters voted for economic vibrance? Until we see Sarkozy (or Le Pen) with a legislative majority, we will not know if the rioters have been met with a firm response.

Jerome Barry, Lewisville, Texas

Both myself and my country are descended from the British Isles, and it was good to see the Queen taking an interest. I even enjoyed her chilly 'we-are-not-amused' stares.
Come back real soon. Ya hear?

Gary Wardle, Louisville, Ky

Our government does not effectively represent our people as far as our alliances go. They are very happy to stick to power politics and usually act in their own interest. Many Americans do not hate the French; we may like to poke fun but really we deeply respect them. The statue of liberty, lafayette, jefferson, franklin, l'enfant: all prominent symbols of American-French kinship.

Things have been rough and a lot of us are fickle but most know how good a friend France is and has been. Everyone is hyping Sarkozy as pro-America and willing to stand beside us; I think it's giving us hope that we can mend a friendship as old as the revolution that founded our country, regardless of how pro-American-policy he is.

Zach, Williamstown, WV US

"Americans like not only Mr Sarkozy’s avowed Atlanticism"...says Baker.
There are 300 million of us, perhaps less than 1% even know who Mr Sarkozy is, and those that do, such as myself - don't care. I've been to France, I've been to the UK. I'm still mystified over what's the big deal with the French. Yeah, they played a role in our history. Whoop-dee-do.

Betty Chambers, Trenton, NJ

The election of Sarkozy represents a major shift in the global balance of power. His pro-American, pro-Israel, pro-reform stance represents a welcome shift away from the "old Europe" (and the old France) of self-satisfied, inward-looking national chauvinism clinging desperately to the feather-bedded social models of the 1970s. With Sarkozy at the helm, France can look forward to taking its rightful place at the forefront of the Atlantic Community's efforts to reassert its values in the face of an otherwise troubled world.

Phillip McGough, London, United Kingdom

I think what maybe Desmond was referring to was recent history. Texans have been extremely involved in executive affairs dating back to LBJ. Being from the states, I would like to better understand British/French relations. Throughout history, they have never quite gotten along, but would one really side against the other just for spite? After boycotting French wine, I may just start buying a bottle or two in honor of Sarkozy. I realize France wants to feel important again but a true British/French/American/Australian/Japan alliance would counter powerfully against the developing Russian/Chinese meddling and backdoor dealings.

Brandon, Flower Mound, TX

It's just unbelievable how Americans think the world revolves around them. Yes Sarkozy mention the Us in his victory speech, but it wasn't the only country he mentioned...
I'm sure some folks will want to think that the French have voted for Sarko because they want France to be more like the UK or the US... These people are in for a big disappointment...

Jon, Tokyo, Japan

I work w/ the most middle-class not very political group you can imagine, and they were all really happy about the French election. They actually stopped talking about American Idol and Dancing w/ the Stars over this news.

Another thought: I wonder if the much-derided boycott was having an effect? I suspect so, since this same group of people now wants to travel to France and buy French wines. I don't think that's why the French voted for Sarkozy, but I think that it will benefit their economy. .

Jane, Queens, NY USA

Oh, how I have missed Veuve Clicquot these past few years. California “Sparkling Wine’ (due to insane EU rules it can no longer be called Champagne, so now I don’t use the ‘C’ word for anything including French Sparkling Wine), is fine and I have grown accustomed to ‘J’ Sparkling Wine from the great Napa Valley. I will still have nothing to do with French products, until I see real reform of attitude, and an apology is not out of the question.

The USA has no greater friend than Britain. After the horrors of 9/11 the entire world stood behind us, but in those initial hours when untold violence seemed to be our destiny only ONE country stood beside us. The moral leadership and loyalty from the people of the UK, that potentially put them in harms way will never be forgotten.

Yogi, Irvine, California

Dear Mr. Baker,

Americans still love the British and the Australians more than any other people on the face of the earth. Perhaps because we all come from the same British Empire.

At heart, every American is an Englishman. No amount of office-swapping in France is ever going to change that.

S, New York,

To Mr Tom from Norfolk: you're right. Virginia - Mother of Presidents - had 8 of them, as far as I know.

Irina, Moscow, Russia

The neocons bungled the Iraq war and France had the foresight to see it. I've been enjoying French wine for years. When people like Ed Koch former mayor of NYC for religious reasons more than politcal called for France to be destroyed, I thought the old man had gone way too far off. The neocons are neck deep in their own filth. But dont expect any mea culpas form these individuals. Pure hubris combined with pure incompentence lead to the Iraq fiasco and now they want to bomb a democratic Iran. For the Christians IN D.C. and the atheists like Rove who are bamboozling them GAL 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. (or karma for you Buddhists).

Isaiah, Dallas, TX, USA

Interestingly enough, America may not exist without the French. Hold that thought next time we go on about WW2.

Jon Kingsbury, Salisbury, UK

Although friendship is desired with France, it's not what we Americans are excited about. In addition to being Europe's whipping boy, we see Europe heading down the road of socialism and globalism coupled with a demographic showdown with Islam. It's a road of economic and military impotence with a cultural disaster mixed in. Now we have a ray of hope for France. What do you get with Muslim culture and no oil? You get the Dark Ages.

Jeff Dyke, Golden, Colorado, USA

Note to John, London, UK.

When it comes to politicians, who do you trust, a politician who takes an unpopular stand or one that tells you what you want to hear?

When it comes to international law, who do you trust, someone who actually knows the law, or yourself who obviously is quite ignorant and emotional about it?

Have a nice day.

Alan, San Francisco, USA

Congratulations, Mr. Baker. You have managed to avoid, albeit narrowly, your customarily explicit anti-Americanism in this column!

Christopher , New Berlin, Wisconsin, USA

I have hardly ever seen an article so full of rubbish. What has Lafayette got to do with anything? Chirac was seen as pro-America and N Sarkozy has been branded by his enemies as pro-American. He seems sometimes to have a liberal agenda but has protectionist tendencies. In any case does the writer think NS is pro- Democrat or pro- Republican. He can hardly be both.
Utter rot.

stephen Bull, fontes , France

The most important relationships the US has are not with Britain or France but with the rising powers of Asia. Focusing on Europe today makes as much sense as a focus on the Austro-Hungarian or Ottoman empires ca 1900. Westward Ho, Americans. Asian Century now.

thibaud, san jose, california

A couple of centuries can also provide an illuminating perspective which can better assess the revolutionary grievance. What was the problem? Taxes, I believe, as expressed by the Boston tea party. And what are taxes for? To pay for the costs of government. So maybe the British weren’t quite so careless in their governance. The revolution did allow the British to avoid the costs of governing America while leaving behind their investment base. The eager colonists needed capital and who could now provide this with a neutral benevolence? The golden rule easily crosses national boundaries in a way that the political does not. Obviously times have changed but there is more to this than just memories.

Henry Percy, London, UK

I used the term /spelling " gogle " because Mr Baker used it. I thought maybe the English had changed the spelling!! Re: Presidents. I was referring to the time frame since there have been 50 states. Also, I believe the term is semi-literate - not sub-literate.

Desmond Taylor, Houston, USA Texas

The friendship between France and the US dates back from the Independence and the Revolution which were both based on similar ideals. Please remember that France stood by the US at the time of the Cuban crisis which was arguably the closest we came to a third world war. As for Irak, the dispute was with the Neocons, wasn't it, and not with the US as such. In fact France had made at the time some military preparations for the invasion of Irak but the issue there was the respect of international law which was rather low on the Bush's agenda, to say the least. Le Monde had the best heading: "We are all Americans".

Lastly, who do you think is your real friend, a Yes man or someone who tells you you are heading for a disaster?

John, London, UK

As to the question of Texas having given the nation more Presidents than any other state: The USA is still here!

Given the records of the two Texas Presidents we have ENDURED, we would be but a distant memory in the dust bin of history had we had seven or eight of them.

The next time a Texan runs for President, America should RUN LIKE HELL or look for a Frenchman, any Frenchman, to vote for. Either is a better alternative.

Jim Walton, Washington, DC

How fickle of Americans if your forecast turns into fact.
I can only hope they as a nation, do have more loyalty than Bush shows Blair.
As for Sarkozy , I am optimistic & feel he could become a very good President, to get where he is ,against all the odds, he has already made history.

If only the French will give him a chance to implement the changes he has pledged , France could be on her way up by this time next year.
My advice to him is to forget about wasting time on the new EU treaty, & use his time for negotiating with the Unions ,the disaffected in the Banlieus, make the workers & unemployed happy, convince them his plans will be beneficial.
The Americans will want to be associated with a successful France, trade & revisit a revitalised country.
Even I may soften my attitiude if I see the people opening their minds, willing to look at other ways & trying to get their country on it's feet again, I am heartily sick of the gaelic shrug & statement of " ce la method Francaise " !!

Maggie Millington, Brittany, France

French fries were definitely off the menu and so was French wine. Now, the possibility of them returning makes for some very different thinking.

Ed Sanchez, El Paso, USA/Texas

Our leaders have all started changing more or less i n unison, roughly every ten years: this time we have Merckel, Sarkozy, Brown in all likelihood, and next year some Silovik or other and the year after some Democrat or other.

And when the new leaders come in they all regale us with a chorus of how they "can do business together". Until the next meeting about EU integration. Or the next round of negotiations at the WTO. Or the next Security Council vote which treads on old bunions....

I suspect the "we can all work together" is as much about domestic politics as anything - it's a quick soundbite which distances you from your predecessor's obvious problems with Johnny Foreigner.

Ian Kemmish, Biggleswade, UK

Actually, Ohio has produced the most presidents at 8; Virginia is a close second with 7, but has not had one since Woodrow Wilson (who, though governor of NJ, was born in Staunton).

Back on topic, vive M. Sarkozy. It's high time France joined the league of free market nations and got rid of the ridiculous 35 hour work week.

George, Honolulu, US, Hawaii

To sub-lterate Desmond from Houston goggle-eyed comes from the same root as to goggle or as in ski-goggles. Maybe because you "go-gil" you mistakenly think Texas had the most Presidents. Washington born in the old Dominion is turning in his grave. Tom is correct.

Denver Watt, Osakaj, Japan

Mr D Taylor
Gogled-eyed is illiterate as goggle-eyed comes
from goggles as in ski goggles or the gog
gles used in snorkelling. Also Tom is right more Presidents came from Virginia including Mr Washington .

Denver Watt, Osakaj, Japan

I have news for you. French fries have been on the menu for awhile now. I think for the most part they were never removed.

Mike, Las Vegas, Nevada

The relationship between France and the U.S. has hardly been "warm". France has often been on the side of the U.S. not to be "with" the Americans but to be "against" the British or some other enemy and the same could be said for the U.S. We could say it has been a mutually useful relationship.
And Mr. Desmond Taylor from Houston - you're showing how short-term your sense of history is when you say that Texas has produced more presidents than any other. And then you spell "goggle" wrong. Oh dear.

Vicki Olson, Lyon, France

Some Americans (and Brits) are a bit weird in their enthusiasm about Sarkozay's americanophilia. The French certainly didn't elect Sarkozy because of it - and I voted for Sarkozy.
Most French still firmly believe what the Americans did in Iraq was tremendously stupid, and despise Bush. The French haven't changed on that subject - it's only some columnists (who obviously don't know much about France and its political life) who think so.
So, "French love affair"? Lame.

Spinifex, Paris, France,

make it two

alex, bordeaux, france

I don't know about Royal friends, or Royal visits, but under no metric has Texas had "more Presidents than any other" state. By the most common measure, Virginia has.

Tom, Norfolk, VA

curious, of course.

David, Mesa, Arizona

Please Mr Baker. " gogle-eyed " Texans.? For a State that has had more Presidents than any other, and more Royal friends than any other, and more Royal visits than any other, your naivety is showing. We do " gogle ". I will be gogling at Spamlot next week. I saw " Wicked " last week. My wife is with Houston Masterworks Chorus. Ya'll come down to hicksville, y'hear.

Desmond Taylor, Houston, USA Texas

mr Sarkosy's pledge (words to the effect) to stand shoulder to shoulder with USA will be best demonstrated by doing just that in Iracq...which just ain;t going to happen...
having lived in france for 4 out of the past 5 yrs my experiance is, Mr Sarkosy sounds bites might bring hope to the USA....well one down ...only another 60 million other French to go....
Mike

mike cassidy, oxford, england