Wow. This article is way to far from the point. The fact is the French don't really care if Sarkozy or Fillon (the premier) jog. The catch is when you look at his body and at his moves it clearly appears he' never jogged on a regular. So the real criticism is that Sarkozy only jogs when the camera's looking.

Actually, the French do not care about this as long as he does the job he's been assigned. But it is too early to judge yet, so that gives the media something to write about...

Bob, Paris, France

I sent a "say," that socialism is for losers and the French are the biggest losers of all. It was not posted, however. Did some loser socialist at your site decide it was off-point?

I think not.

Seems to me French socialists strive to be arrogantly mediocre. We who run -- not jog, run -- pursue excellence when we train, just as we pursue excellence in our work.

John Meyer, Golden, Colorado USA

Hilarious!
His critics are just fuming that he's doing a good job. They'd be annoyed if he drank tea and not coffee, for tea is inherently right wing. If he liked Wagner, he'd be accused of being a facist; if he read Mark Twain, he'd be accused of being a racist.
And to his philosophe critics, you have to ask yourself if you can really keep the title 'public intellectual' when you start pontificating on jogging!

Tag, Hirosaki, Japan

I'm just back from a week in Paris (loved the people and the city) and ran on the streets most mornings. Some areas (particularly parks on weekends) were full of runners. They can't all have been tourists...anyway, after my frustration at the glacial pace at which some service industry employees work (mostly at the airport!) in Paris, I can see how the idea of moving a little quicker might fill them with fear/dread/loathing.

Angelo, Singapore,

Ahh...the French elite. Their tolerance is so....so...fascist!

Ann, St. Louis, MO/USA

I jog. Where can i buy some jackboots?

Peter, Edmonton, Canada

“Jogging is of course about performance and individualism ..."

Absolutely wrong, and clearly from one who's never done it and rather obviously not thought of it much. Take it from an ex-marathoner: all that training takes the support of others. I trained seriously for years (I'll immodestly mention that I was ranked #1100 in the US in 1990) with some truly great friends and surely wouldn't have been nearly as successful without them, nor them without me. Millions of runners train together -- probably more than train alone.

I strongly suspect the "elite opinion" on this subject is like too much else in France: spouted by the chattering classes but utterly divorced from mainstream thinking.

Valjean, Orcas Island, US, Washington

As a runner, I have to say that running can be extremely meditative. I do some of my best thinking while I run, and running helps me put events in perspective.

Kevin, Worthington, United States

That anyone criticizes someone for keeping healthy is beyond pathetic.

Jay, Richmond, Virginia

“Jogging is of course about performance and individualism, values that are traditionally ascribed to the Right,”...

You know, individualism, like, say, training for relays, or the marathon.

Navel, meet gaze.

Affe, California,

As was mentioned, there are some pretty silly comments made in American media sources (all the gossip about Paris Hilton and other information that I'm not all agog to learn about). Some newspaper criticizes the French president for "le jogging" and it's the talk of the world.

As for the article's content... If the writer dislikes Sarkozy, any pastime Sarkozy happens to like will be held up for ridicule, whether it's running or playing solitaire. So it is in any country. Those who disliked Clinton ridiculed his running as well and no doubt associated it in some way with his left-leaning politics.

It should also be noted that if French leaders are rarely seen exercising in public, a departure from that norm will be viewed with suspicion whatever the leader's political views. We in America are used to seeing our leaders on both sides of the political fence exercising in public, so their workout choices, while sometimes satirized, usually generate less comment.

D. McManus, Anywhere, USA

This was such an entertaining article, I had a great giggle. But seriously, I think they are onto something here. Its not a normal state of affairs to put your body through all that unnecessary stress on joints etc. Walking has just as good health benefits. So anyone that wants to do can't really be doing it just for health reasons, it has to be because they want to appear/create illusion of dynamism and energy. Its game playing. . The french are onto something here!

Irene , London,

If you go to the main page of the American section of this same newspaper web site you can read about the new American hero who hate 660 hot dogs in 3.5 seconds. Something all Americans can be proud of.

Now you try that Sarko!

Marc, Quebec City, Canada

Give me a freakin' break. The French media will use any excuse, it seems, to deride someone else. Didn't a bunch of European commentators criticize Lance Armstrong when he was riding in the Tour de France because of how hard he trained compared to his competitors? What is it about hard work that scares them so?

LAI, Holderness, NH, USA

To SPR of saint louis, missouri - love your references! LOL!

I've been a runner for 10+ years and find this article completely ignorant of the sport and its context. I don't see how individualism and performance are qualitites reserved to right-wing mentality. In my mind, running is the most punk rock sport and Sarko is merely a poser in that regard -- his posture says it all.

Americans did not invent running, by the way. Only popularized it. I could be wrong about this - someone confirm: Aren't the top French runners from North Africa?

isa6ella

isabella, NY, NY

Is this actually real? I read this and thought "This must be from Private Eye, or The Onion, or some French version like "L'onione" or "Les yeux de prive". But it can't be real." Then I remembered that snails are a French delicacy, and I'm no longer so certain.

Nek, Leicester, UK

"critics who see his passion for jogging as un-French, right-wing and even a ploy to brainwash his citizens."

Hahahahaha! No wonder the rest of the world sees the French as a bunch of vain, lazy layabouts.
Gopal, Houston, Tx

Now now, Gopal, the French, specifically those on the Left, aren't lazy layabouts, they're introspective contemplaters. With only their quiet meditation, they continue to will Western Civilization into existance.

Liberation, or as I like to call it Propaganda Staffel: a tour de force of Left wing brainpower,

Guy, San Diego, CA

It is sad to call any sport left or right wing. If you take part in a public race like a 10k or half marathon it does not matter what your politics are. You may be running with people who you would normally disagree with but for the time you are running all such divisions are forgotten. Jogging is a unifier and open to all who are physically able to do it.

Adam Huntley, St. Albans, United Kingdom

It's understandable that some in France may not agree with Sarkozy or his positions on matters of policy. However by criticizing Sarkozy for his choice of exercise, Bremner comes across to me as both petty and desperate to find a way to smear Sarkozy.

Bremner writes "Mr Sarkozy’s habit infuriates his critics – and some supporters – because he flaunts it so hard." It sounds to me like the critics are the ones with the problem, namely that the critics think they should be able to dictate to others what they can or cannot do (or how often or how hard they should be allowed to pursue it).

Jason, Dallas, TX

You've got to be kidding. Jogging has become a totalitarian pursuit? I'm not a Francophobe, but little wonder many consider the French to be hopelessly and insufferably effete. I find that my daily three mile jog clears my mind (and helps me stay, or at least feel, somewhat young).

Jim Moore, Staten Island, USA

"They say that jogging promotes cardio-vascular health, promotes weight loss etc."

And kills your joints.

starling, Lancaster,

I love the French.

So what....somebody writes a stupid article about the President. Good Lord; have you read the American press lately? I'd much rather debate my President's jogging habit than the latest inanity about Paris Hilton.

Physician, heal thyself!

Joseph Blow, Chapel Hill, USA

It is sad to call any sport left or right wing. If you take part in a public race like a 10k or half marathon it does not matter what your politics are. You may be running with people who you would normally disagree with but for the time you are running all such divisions are forgotten. Jogging is a unifier and open to all who are physically able to do it.

Adam Huntley, St. Albans, United Kingdom

Hilarious! Anyone who couldn't work up a giggle reading this needs a humour transplant.

All those Paris Marathoners...reactionaries! And Le Tour? 21 days of torture on a bike...ah, but they ride for teams. And those pursuing Le Maillot Jeune (sp.?)...damn conservatives!

I've never thought of myself as a running-fascist...time for some philosophical self-reflection over a glass of Bordeaux and a croissant...after my 20K Run.

Viva La France...just don't get fit!

Adam, Melbourne, Australia

I'd rather him be in good health and mentality than in another state of mind. I am a runner and it has nothing to do about politics, but everything to do about maintaining my health. As other readers have mentioned, it is better to have a politician who is aware of his health than one who is not. I wish good health upon everyone, regardless of their pastime interests or political views. Good for him - keep running. Leave the politics out of this.

Kristina, Seattle, United States

Unbelievable. The fact that Sarkozy is attempting to maintain at least a modicum of physical conditioning through vigorous aerobic exercise (i.e. jogging) is considered by French “intellectuals” to be somehow a “sinister” ploy? Get over yourselves (little wonder many Americans consider the French to be hopelessly effete…and, no, I’m not a Francophobe, but c’mon now)! I jog…admittedly not very well (3 miles a day, about an 8 ½ to 9 minute mile), but it’s EXERCISE and let’s remember folks, exercise helps the body as well as the mind. The most contemplative times I’ve ever experienced occur when I’m out for a run (either on pavement or on a treadmill during inclement weather). I say good for Sarkozy.

Jim, New York , USA

No activity has given me as profound a sense of fellowship with others as running marathons, which for many runners are about common spirit rather than individualism (especially the thousands who run to raise money for charity). Long-distance running is non-aggressive, contemplative and soul-enhancing, qualities that one would have thought conducive to the French way of life. They certainly weren't at odds with Greek ethics - the very origin of the marathon lies in a dutiful citizen's attempt to save his fellow men, and sacrifice of his own life in the process. The idea of Rimbaud as some kind of moral role model seems perverse! If you're looking for a selfish individualist, he's your man!

Is it because Camus played football?

Verity, Oxford, UK

He should take up parkour. Or is that too socialist, too algerian, too banlieu? No wait, it's derivative of that oh so decadent and american endeavor -- le skateboard. Damm, it takes too much philosophy to run around the block. Give me a cigarette.

spr, saint louis, missouri

Ok, I admit I’m guilty of telling the occasional joke about the French but when it comes right down to it, I’m not big on generalizations. This is no exception since who knows how widespread this view is. But if this doesn’t scream “Mock me, I’m French!” I don’t know what does.

Bill, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

I thought the French had got over their idea that sport is an inherently inferior because not intellectual passtime when they won the football world cup in 1998...I can't believe the fact that Sarko jogs is even an issue, certainly not one that has any bearing on his political views!

hjr, London,

Regular jogging requires self-discipline, improves endurance and productivity. Those who do not do any cardio are ignorant, sick or lazy.

Vlad, PA, USA

Jogging has nothing to do with meditation? Obviously this comes from a man who has never jogged. Mr Finkelkraut neither understands jogging nor meditation. Meditation is about being completely in the moment. With walking you can be anywhere but with jogging, especially when jogging long distances you have to be in the moment...very aware of all that is going on with you. Of your thoughts, moments, and temptations.

Kristain, Portand, OR

How silly and blinkered these French "intellectuals" seem. I can imagine them in grade school telling the physical education teacher, "Excusez-moi, professeur. J'ai une note de mon docteur." In my experience, nothing is as meditative as a good long run. Maybe they should put down the cigarettes and give "le jogging" a try before they denounce it.

Tom K., Los Angeles, California

Clinton jogged? the only reason he'd jog during his presidency is trying to go to the nearest mcdonalds.

joe , Houston, USA

As a life long distance runner, and pinko, and, literally, a "San Francisco Liberal", the 'bete noir' of all Republicans (don't pardon my French) I have to say there is NOTHING more introspective and contemplative than a good long run, especially on trails through the woods as I am lucky to be able to do here in Northern California. Ironically, distance runners tend to be liberals, at least here in the US, for just that reason, i.e. they actually contemplate things.

To the extent a conservative runs, it can't hurt. If only Bush ran all day long and did not involve himself in other things, we'd all be better off.

James McCormick, San Francisco, California, US

"I get all my excersize going to the funerals
of the people I know who do excersize"
-Mark Twain

glenn schaefer, holbrook, USA

No, Jogging is for people who want to live post 65 still feeling healthy. It is also a great natural cure for other ailments like depression - it gives one a more positive outlook. Are right-wingers more positive, then? It used to be the left wing that were most optomistic about humanity, the conservatives who exercised caution in light of their philosophical foundational views of humanity. Have the tables turned and when did they turn? I think it was when the left adopted relativism, and thus gave up national, cultural and self-preservation in one foul swoop. After all, why jog when you do not believe you are worth preserving?

William, Wellington, New Zealand

Who are these French intellectuals? Has anyone ever heard of them? Outside of INSEAD, are there any universities in France? Finkelkraut - Are you kidding me? This one is too easy...

Voltaire, key west, FL

Jogging isn't a matter of politics, it's a matter of health. If the French PM wants to jog, let him. It sometimes keeps the mind sharp as well as the body in tune. A leader who cares about his health, cares about his country as well.

The French have so much more to worry about than this.

Pachal, Miami, USA, Florida

Bill Clinton jogged, he was a lefty. I mean whatever a man does to keep in shape is a good thing. As far as walking vrs jogging, you burn twice as many calories when you run. I would imagine that the head of state is a busy man.

Zech

Zech, Madison WI, USA

Running helps to release agressivity, tension and the heavy build-up of a stressful working day... I SURE HOPE SARKO WILL CONTINUE HIS JOGGING AND IGNORE THE PRESS.

Jacqueline, Den Haag, The Netherlands

Jogging is for self-indulgent masochists. The French resent Sarkozy flaunting this, as if he were some superior being. Better for him to be seen having un café et croissant on the veranda of the Elysée Palace than panting his way up the front stairs, like some French Rocky Balboa. And rather than indulge in the typical two-hour French lunch, a quick sandwich at his desk after 45 minutes on an eliptical machine in the basement might be in order.

Harvey Bronstein, Washington, USA

Jogging is an addiction like a drug addiction. If some people like jogging, so be it. If some people like pot or some other substance, so be it. Myself, I don't do either, but who am I to prevent other people from doing what they like and which harms no one else?

Frankly, I find drug users better company than joggers.

bernarda, Paris, France

Is this for real or is this yet another US media 'special coverage" of French politics like the "drunken Sarko at the G-8" (of which I could not find a single reference of in French papers BTW)

I am French, Sarko was not my first choice BUT -- if this is true, then I'd say to the French Media (who might just well be "milking" some quote by some 3-tiered moron) Leave The Fuc&%$@ Guy Alone.

Dissent IS so ingrained a French way of Live! we can't help it, even if it makes us look like idiots.

Nathalie F Parker, New York City, NY

Why do so many hate America when it much easier to hate the French? :-)

How typically French...to dislike a man because he wants to improve his health.

Doyenne, Madrid, Spain

He's wearing an NYPD tee? So Eurotrashy!
I should send him one of my favorite T-shirts for jogging, emblazoned on the front with "California Institute for the Criminally Insane, Chino," and "I did not escape--I was given a day pass" on the back.

Wanda Bohon, Fortuna, CA

I can't tell if this is a real news article or just a satire?

nathaniel, bayswater, england

Any item is good to portrait the French as weird... a recurring theme in the US press. One can see dozens of articles making fun of Americans in France as well.

It's all good fun in the name of the 'we are better" theme

Adrian, Swarthmore, PA

I love the French passion for disscussion and debate.

I say that Sarkozy's public exercise is an inspiration to others to be healthy.

Tony, San Diego, USA, California

"Walking is a sensitive, spiritual act. Jogging is management of the body. The jogger says I am in control. It has nothing to do with meditation.” Worst quote ever!...Someone should remind the celebrated 'philosopher' that Xenophon describes moments when Socrates would dance and move about his limbs to exercise and Socrates would defend such displays as dignified...that and maybe he should actually try running, i think a lot of people who do run would disagree about it not being spiritual, specially marathon runners...or maybe he should try triathlon!!!

Mark Chavez, Plano, TX

Many thanks to Jim Antony, London, UK:

Mens sana in corpore sano

"A sound mind in a sound body"

(I seem to recall that there was a Roman guy with the same last name as Mr. Antony!)

Garth Rex, Glendale Heights, USA

Jogging/running is a personal choice that has as much to do with political or intelectual leanings as would a predeliction for the missionary position. Something could be read into it, but vainly. Truly worthless; but likewise the generalizing comments in this thread (such as the following)
"the rest of the world sees the French as a bunch of vain, lazy layabouts."
"Bill Clinton was ... a left winger." (he was patently moderate)
"the French intellectual elite have always thought of America as the great Satan and destroyer of all things good and graceful"
Cheers and good health to Sarkozy the runner!

Phidepides, Athens, USA

Aren't the French pathetic!

John, Whangarei, New Zealand

How sad that self-consciously intelligent and intellectual people should indulge in such small-minded ruminations on the politics of what is essentially a personal preference which harms nobody - not the President himself, and definitely not the population of France. SURELY, they can exercise their minds with something a little more meaningful. Gives new meaning to the notion of "oh for Pete's sake, get a life"/

Jean, Montboucher, France

Mens sana in corpore sano

Jim Antony, London, UK

I wonder such nonsense issue are discuss in midia.
President must judge by his work.What he doing for health this one is his private view, We must appriciate his conscious about his health.

Ramesh Raghuvanshi, Pune , INDIA

Cheap shot by small minds.

Bill Clinton was an avid jogger and a left winger. Criticizing politicians for their sports habits is inane.

David Diaz, Coral Gables, Florida, USA

A certain segment of the French electorate is angry that their new PM enjoys jogging, an allegedly selfish, right-wing, American endeavor? Wow. Apparently, they have far too much vacation time on their hands.

Paris, Chicago, USA

SMART MAN!

Smart man, that Sarkozy! He is taking great strides towards improved physical fitness. I think that I am going to follow his example.

They say that jogging promotes cardio-vascular health, promotes weight loss, lowers the blood pressure, Improves your sex life, reduces the risks of heart attack and stroke and improves sexual performance! Hmmm..mm!

Is all of that true? Perhaps a physician would care to comment

Was it the Romans...or the Greeks?.. who espoused the principle of a sound body being conducive to a sound mind - a "Sound Mind in a Sound Body"?

Was it: " Sane corpus - sane mentis"?
(HELP! My high school Latin is a little rusty...I think I skipped a few clases.).

Or is it: "Sane corpus - compos mentis"?

How about: "Non compos mentis - corpus delecti"?

Aw, shucks! I don't remember. My mentis is not too sane at the moment..I'm going to get some exercise!

Garth Rex, Glendale Heights, USA

On our last trip to Paris we witnessed sunday morning joggers. Some were puffing fags, some were just puffed out. It was a delightfully unforgettably comic moment. Le jogging can be so amusing for a strolling anglo observer.

David Bell, LARKHALL, UK

I'm reading at the moment a fascinating account of how many intellectuals in pre-war Germany supported Nazism. And then after the war, intellectuals were singing the praises of communism. And now, these same intellectuals are telling us that jogging is not the done thing.
Schneidermann and his ilk should learn when to shut up.

Samuel Young, Paris, France

I think the French Chattering Classes need to spend more time on fixing France's myriad problems and less time obsessing on Monsieur Sarkozy's sweaty jogging shorts..

Mike, Austin, Texas/USA

Those of us who are well past the competitive time of athletic life are simply trying to keep a discipline on our lives, imposed by an exercise of personal will-power. President Sarkozy may never win a race, but addressing his "slight excess in weight" and following a life-style that mandates against too much cheese and wine, though some may think that self-inflicted punishment, is not vanity. The only way a journalist can understand would be to shed the laptop and microphone, and run with the President. When Jimmy Carter wobbled in his run, it was a sign of stress getting to him: what is important for President Sarkozy's life is more important than his image. When we pass 35 years old, we are all comical when we exercise in public. So what?

Trefor Thomas, Myrtle Beach, SC, USA

"Walking is a sensitive, spiritual act. Jogging is management of the body. The jogger says I am in control. It has nothing to do with meditation."

On the contrary, walking is the physical exercise of choice for those of passive disposition. Like anything worth having in life, knowledge comes from activity, and the greater the activity, the greater the possibility of goodness.
Since the runner is prepared to be more active than the walker, to take his or her body to a limit the walker is afraid to approach, we can conclude that the runner has more of the stuff of which intellectual and spiritual gurus are made. The management of the body is the essence of meditation.

David Carson, Melbourne, Australia

Oh God! Are these intellectuals so bereft of ideas and issues that they are now going after physical exercise? Getting off the chair or couch is a Fascist plot?

Walter, Portland, U.S.A., OR.

And I thought the American press was full of idiots that would and do try to turn EVERYTHING that politicians do into some grand conspiracy. Am I the only one that finds this beyond idiotic.I know that the French intellectual elite have always thought of America as the great Satan and destroyer of all things good and graceful but.......this sure takes the cake.

Linda, SantaFe, USA

Is this an April Fools article? I don't even know what to say. Jogging is suspicious? Please, someone tell me this is a big fat joke!

Steven, Chicago, USA

"critics who see his passion for jogging as un-French, right-wing and even a ploy to brainwash his citizens."

Hahahahaha! No wonder the rest of the world sees the French as a bunch of vain, lazy layabouts.

Gopal, Houston, Tx

Who cares? Let Sarko stay in shape. Exercise is good for everyone, and considering the stress of his job Sarko is doing the right thing. He should be emulated- not critized.

Carlos Meza, Stockton, California, USA

I'm sorry, but politics aside, I have a hard time understanding how a healthy pastime can garner such a reaction - c'est un choix personnel, dignifie ou non.

Jim, Seattle, US

When the officers run, the troops worry... A still valid principle.

Ronnie, Paris, FRANCE