Well done Nicky! Your family is only YOUR bussiness!

Eva, UK,

Bravo, Mr, le President!

When will journalists learn a little respect and decorum when interviewing Chiefs of State - or anyone, for that matter? It is about time that journalists, who - at times - equate them selves to godesses, were taught a lesson. How were they raised and educated?

It is refreshing to see a President who is not afraid to speak his mind clearly.

P.K. Murphy, Monte Carlo, Monaco

I can't help noticing that most negative comments about Nicolas Sarkozy's attitude come from French readers. It is true that we live with him every day (on TV, on the radio, on the cover of our magazines... soon on our coffee mugs?) and we know that as long as he was a happy husbund he was glad to put his family in the spotlight, more than any of our presidents before. Now things have changed. But if his couple had been OK at the time of the interview, I am sure he would have been delighted to answer the journalist's question.

Philippe, Fréjus, FRANCE

It is interesting that Lesley Stahl and CBS have nothing more important to ask the president of France than about his family life.

Daniel M. Carmichael, Chapel Hill, NC USA

Ahh how refreshing .. a politician with standards . Fair play to SuperSarko , who wouldn't have done the same ?
Perhaps Sarko wasn't the only who was very busy , Stahl finished a 60 minute interview in record time ... will the title of the show be changed to 60 Seconds accordingly ?

I have to agree with John from Eastbourne too , the message will be lost ... her final question to Sarko says it all . She and many other journo's just don't get it .

Benzo, Nr Chelmsford,

You don't call people who work for you imbeciles unless you're a) a comic book villain, or b) an imbecile yourself.

Tristan Yates, Bethesda, MD

French people usually do not care at all about private life of politic people.
But N. Sarkozy himself set his family under spotlights... He used to show off with his wife, their children (his sons, her daughters, their son), Cecilia did play a role that was not really clear (Bulgarian nurses and so on)... A few years ago he recorded a video when he campaigned for presidence of the UMP, with his son Louis bidding him “bonne chance mon Papa” (good luck Daddy)... He was very proud of his wife and family as long as everything goes well, and was quick to call photographs and reporters to claim how important it was to live in such a family happiness... and suddenly (this is not the first time) when things go wrong : he pretends that his family life is private, and reporters have nothing to do with privacy.

CD, Paris, France

We French people can forgive everyone to be a single person, a divorced man, an unmarried mother, a gay, a lesbian, who cares ??? but we cannot forgive anyone to be a liar... Nor to be a man quick to seize the opportunities, but not willing to pay the price. More than this : French people realize now that the man who rules our country, is about to loose his temper at any moment. That’s very amazing. If NS can break an interview like that, just because of a question about his wife, then what will be his reaction when he will be in front of a real problem ? Of a true stressful situation ? Like - for example - a case of global war ? Or a case of national security ?
The reporter Leslie Stahl had the right to ask the questions she asked.
Our President missed the opportunity to stay quiet, keeping to a “no comment” status.

CD, Paris, France

So funny, dumbing down and stupid questions aside, Sarkosi is used to a totally obsequious press back home. He has carefully crafted a public image, using his family in a way unknown to our French Politicians, using a press at his beck and call to obliterate the notion of private life. As an arrogant and narcissist control-freak, he is using anger when hit by unwelcomed reality. This is a typical of someone suffering from histrionic personality disorder. I am starting to like his soon to be ex-wife more and more.

D, london , uk

Monsieur Sarkozy behaved as a gentleman would, refusing to discuss his wife in a public interview. He removed his microphone, thanked his interviewer and parted company. We Americans are becoming less and less capable of distinguishing mportant news and fluff. Just watch any morning "news program" for the three or for minutes of real news every hour on the hour. The rest is televised spam.

Curtis T. Stotlar, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Well done Sarkozy! Unfortunately I don't think Stahl or any other interviewer will get the message. What was there to discuss about the divorce? There are far more important issues that would have been worth talking about. The propensity of the media to peddle trivia is not restricted to the USA. It is endemic in the UK as well.

John, Eastbourne, UK

I watched the scene you refer to on the Internet and despite all the volatile verbs used in your article about such as "ripped off", etc, I thought Mr. Sarkozy handled his distaste for the intrusion quite politely. He "took off", not "ripped off" his microphone, offered a handsake to the interviewer to say good bye and walked away. How else would he leave...by crawling or jumping? He made it clear he didn't want to discuss the subject and the rude interviewer decide to ignore the Head of State and treat him like some druggie rock star, and then he politely disengaged. He was right. More leaders should act the same with arrogant interviewers who want to become stars by embarassing other humans on TV.

Don Jaime Kote, Cambridge, England

If Mr Sarkozy wasn't so busy interfering in minor education matters for example, but left the various day to day running of the government to his competent prime minister and other government ministers, he probably wouldn't be so rushed off his feet, tired, stressed and would find an extra few minutes to deal with his own personal problems.

Jay Edwards, Toulouse, France

"Mr Sarkozy is sue to visit the United States ..."

Huh? I think perhaps the editor missed this one...unless of course it is a comment on the americal legal system?

Chris, Yorks,

I think more people in the public eye should get a little pissed off about having their personal lives made public. If you heard that a coworker that you had never spoken to before was getting a divorce, would you not consider it rude to go up to him and ask him about it? But, too many people want to hear that kind of thing so the media feeds it to them. It's not illegal, but it certainly isn't ethical in my opinion. But then, that's what makes it juicy, and that's what now keeps some people in the public eye... not talent, but behavior.

Mike, Austin, Texas

Even living at the bottom of Africa, many of us are aware that the French have a penchant for histrionics which they use often to great effect. If other US media try to pull the same trick, US viewers are going to see quite a few semi-complete and half-baked interviews wih a major world leader... and that can only increase America's lack of knowledge and understanding of the world beyond Uncle Sam's security screen.

Anthony, Durban, RSA

I was very happy see his reaction. There are a lots of other pressing global issues than worrying about a foreign head of state's wife ! I hope the reporter and CBS learnt from this.

Tom, Raleigh, NC

The American press is more concerned with Britney, Paris and any other personal scandous occuring at the time.

CBS new division is a failing liberal MSM outlet and the quicker it fails the better.

Perhaps finally a French leader with a backbone?

Hotspur, ATL, USA

not only did Ms Stahl perpetuate the image of the crude and ugly American, she had the dishonesty to look innocent and stammer "was that unfair?"

david, Nyc,

leslie you did it again.. isn't it time to redecorate your house or find something to do in the garden.. good luck in the future and please try to ask pertenate questions when conducting your interviews..

larry bonsall, sonoma, united states, california

Good for him! The media has lost a sense of decency. It thinks to fill in the chinks when the really big scandals are regularly covered up. The biggest scandal in Iraq is seldom intimately searched.

habrow2, ALBANY, ny usa

I love it, finally CBS and Leslie Stahl met their match. I have always found Stahl incompetent as an interviewer and I think she should consider retirement along with a new hairdresser.

Viva La France and President Sarkozy.

Soren, Sequim, Washington

D'uh. It's CBS. What kind of imbecile expects news from that crew?

Actually, I stopped watching all television five years ago, and I certainly don't feel any less informed than before.

I'm happy to see Sarkozy as head of state in France. Good luck to him. (And let's keep those personal matters personal.)

Danny, Chicago, USA

According to a recent interview here in France, with a maid of the Sarkozy family back in Hungary, he had plenty of everything and was so arrogant as a child that he would never address her, a lowly maid, directly. So, he never had to be responsible for anything he said or did. He could be as outrageous as he wished, and no one would ever smack him about, spank him, or punch his lights out. As we say back home, "Rich kids are all the same. Good for nothin'."

Victor Compton, Cherbourg, France

Sarko's Press Secretary is responsible for this. Doesn't he realize that CBS has sunk to the level of the gutter press? Did he really expect anything other than tabloid journalism from Lesley Stahl? Did he expect a serious interview from 60 Minutes? If he did, he is a fool.

I was disappointed in Sarko when I heard he would be on the show. He regained my respect when he walked-out.

Bob, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA

He was right to end the interview, and he did not "Storm off the set". He politely declined to comment about his soon to be ex-wife. So did it end there? No ! Ms. Stahl wasn't interested in moving on to something like ideas and important issues facing the world today. She was determined to try to sling dirt in President Sarkozy's face. He was right not to sit there for such insuling nonsense. If '60 minutes' would try some facts and real journalism, then maybe someone would watch their lousy show.

Tim, USA,

Sarkozy's dissoulution of his marriage is not foder for the media-it's his personal business. "Journalism" in the US has deteriorated to tabloid levels and is vapid and dumb in its content. Pure fluff. Where's the beef? I'm glad he snubbed CBS and admire him for getting up and walking out. Good for you, Mr. Sarkozy! Maybe if it happened more often, "journalists" would get the message. Why waste the man's time with dribble?

Peter Foglia, Lighthouse Point, FL

What do you expect from a celebrity TV and culture? What do you surely expect? Do you think they will care about Franco-American relationships? Do you think they care about Franco-American cooperation in Iraq? in Darfur? when it comes to NMS (nuclear missile shields)? etc? No, all that matters is Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, divorce, scandals etc.

Harrison C., Woburn, U.S.

What else should we have expectedt when a declining tabloid "news" show from America interviews a world leader? Stahl should have realized that her Joan Rivers approach to the head of a major European politician would make her and CBS look exactly like what they are - desperate heirs to "ambush interview journalism". A real cheap shot that rightfully backfired.

By that one act, President Sarkozy exposed the huge gulf that exists between responsible journalism and American tabloid. More power to him. I didn't know him before, but now have a new found admiration for his sense of priorities.

Let Stahl and her fellows stick to targets that they can handle, like Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, and other lightweights that depend on the tabloids for their identity. Leave the heavyweight interviews to the journalists.

Larry, San Diego

Larry, San Diego, CA

As a journalist, Leslie Stahl showed ignorance, poor judgement, insensitivity, lack of compassion, and ill manner. Is CBS going to follow NBC in catering to the lowest common denominator in pursuing tabloid gossips? This was advertised as an opportunity for us to be introduced to the new French president. Does the producer realize that this was also an opportunity to mend relations & the journalist indirectly represented the USA? Should we wonder why others regard us as the "Ugly American"?

Su , San Francisco, USA/California

The American press needs to understand that to treat a Head of State rudely garners specific consequences for this behavior. Matters of private life are not to be discussed in public interviews, it was an inappropriate question of a reporter trying to get a "big story" at the expense of a public official. I am proud that Mr. Sarkozy terminated the interview, maybe in the future Ms Stahl will understand polite manners of interviewing.

Ruth Dayton, Mansfield Lousiana, USA

While 60 Minutes should be admonished for prying too hard into the French president's persomnal life, we should remember that Mr Sarkozy is the leader of one of the largest countries in the world. If he cannot handle himself in an interview with grace, how will he handle himself when far more urgent matters are tossed on his plate. What did he really expect in an interview anyways???

Robert Bridge, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania USA

At last a Frenchman I can admire.

Rather than taking part in the display of extreme bad manners that is the trademark of CBS news, French President Nicolas Sarkozy took the high road and left an interview when CBS reporter Leslie Stahl demonstrated her lack of tact during an interview in which she asked inappropriate questions about Sarkozys personal life.

It is a strange world indeed when the French have just cause to be offended by the rude behavior of another nationality but it seems American journalist have made such a reality.

Is it any wonder that everyday more and more people turn to blog authors and independent sources for their information?

Liberte, egalite, fraternite; Vive Sarkozy!

Reg, Greensboro, NC

A person, just one who happens to be the President of France, was treated in insulting fashion by a prying journalist. Wearing the presidential sash does not mitigate M. Sarkozy's personal affront at questions about his marriage. Any person, regardless of societal status, should have his/her marriage or domestic relationships declared off-limits by inquiring journalists, unless the relationships themselves allude to possible criminal influence peddling or lobbying; which is NOT the case with Monsieur et Madame Sarkozy.

Good manners do not cease being necessities of a civil life when one, as a guest, crosses the threshold of the Elysee Palace anymore than when one crosses the threshold of the most inelegant and basic household of any host or hostess.

Edward B Woody Ryder, greenlawn, ny

President Sarkozy was clearly agitated before the interview which undoubtedly contributed to his borish behaviour. While the President found Ms. Stahl's question insensitive and irrelavent, walking out on the interview was, nonetheless, rude. If the President did not want to bridge questions about his personal life, his response should have stated that; and established that he would only entertain questions that were pertinent to political or econimic issues, thus setting the stage for a courteous exit if Ms Stahl persisted.
It is unlikely that President Sarkozy is unfamiliar with the journalistic culture of 60 Minutes. He should not have been surprized by such a question and should have, mentally at least, formulated an appropriate response. Ms. Stahl's question was not inappropriate given 60 Minutes' viewership. Those vierwers who prefer more serious news journalism choose other programs or media. Perhaps President Sarkozy whould have been well advised to do the same

Ryan Burnett Hughes, Eureka, USA

As an American I say that our media "personalities" are not the dunces we thought they were. They're far worse. Ignorant, impolite and egotistical they are a corrosive, destructive bunch. Leslie Stahls is right up near the front of this line. More interviewees ought to do what President Sarkozy has done. Three cheers, I say and let's pray there is an Edward R. Murrow in the wings, we need intelligent, persistant and fearless reporting not the kind of immature questioning that Ms. Stahl and many other "news readers" practice.

RCP
Pennsylvania

Robert Pederzani, Sinking Spring, PA

I now have a much greater respect for Sarkozy. He politely tried to decline discussing what is deeply personal, immediately hurting, and frivolous questions. After Stahl would not accept a polite dismissal of the question and persisted with that line of inane inquiry, he was right to immediately end the pointless interview. And up to that point I liked Stahl and didn't like Sarkozy, now my feelings have reversed.

Mark, New York City, NY, USA

His wife went on a government mission to free the Bulgarian nurses from Libya. During the campaign, they made joint appearances and talked about the turmoil in their marriage and their reconciliation. Now he's not supposed to be asked about it? He could have declined to answer and moved on. Instead he looked like a hothead. That's a shame.

Duncan, Washington , DC

His reaction actually impressed me. I'm sick of the media trying to make entertainment out of important issues. The relationship between France and the U.S. is astronomically more important than any politician's marital relationship, but it sounds like it's the first place CBS went with the interview. Sadly, more and more of the press is falling into the category of "tabloid". They're only after superficial cheap thrills and will spin anything they get to create such thrills if necessary. Honest news service is no longer a priority.

Jeff, Lancaster, California

The French claim not to care about the personal lives of their leaders but the truth is they are obsessed with them. However I do admire the fact that "scandals" don't affect how they vote.

John Maurice Arrell, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Good for Mr Sarkozy !!!

Arnold Richards, Milwaukee, WI

I would have liked 60 Minutes to ask Pres. Sarkozy about stopping H-Bomb tests in the South Pacific. Even better, France should dismantle their nuclear weapons .

michael s. hollander, San Rafael, Ca. USA

As an American, living in all so politically correct California, I, too, am embarrassed by what CBS terms, ‘news’. If Mr. Sarkozy has not entered his personal situation into the political arena by his own actions, shame on CBS for trying to muck up such information on a nationally televised show.

Carl, San Diego, USA

Sarkozy is right; as an American, if I want gossip (which is all *any* questions about someone's personal life will lead up to), I'll buy one of the scandal sheets at the supermarket checkout.

What we have here is a perfect example of why I don't watch American national news broadcasts any more. I get the local news, and then I watch the BBC.

Rich, Newberg, OR

Fair play to him - they had no right to ask him about his private life. And it's utterly ridiculous for any Times readers to draw comparisons with the Iranian president - what are you doing reading the Times if you're that intellectually challenged?!

Jessica, Reading, Uk

Good for Sarko.......Had a forum for significant questions and they ask personal questions!!!!???? Don't blame him for leaving such a stupid interview.

Tom C, Timonium, MD, USA

paul from stockholm writes, "And we are supposed to be worried about Iran ! Here we have the leader of an established nuclear power who is apparently unstable with a disturbingly
short fuse. "
Yeah, let's not worry about Iran, but focus on the personal life of the French President.
Where was this hard hitting reporting in dealing with the Iranian calm, collected, well thought out president? I mean, so he doesn't believe the holocaust took place, wants to nuke Israel and the U.S.A., believes islamofascism should rule the world, but your'e right Paul, let's be concerned about thaat wild man in France who didn't play the stupid media game correctly.

kevin, pittsburgh, USA/PA

He should have denied to answer questions relating to his personal life instead of storming off like a hot headed teenager, as opposed to the President of France. Although, I can relate to his anger over personal, shallow questions.

And the comment "Another French defeat in history..." thoughts like that, that have driven our foreign policy for the last seven years. And that's worked out real nice like for us, right Atlanta?

Matt, Columbus, USA / OH

Yes Viva le France! I am proud of Sarkozy didn't like him at first, now he is my hero. As an American I am so glad he shucked off the idiot media always trying to stick their nose everybodies private life. I think Britian can relate to that. Well I am an advocate of individual privacy, I don't care who you are. 60 minutes all that is ugly about America.

Pete, Orlando,

An as embarrased American, thank you Mr. Sarkozy for putting Ms. Stahl in her place. You said you didn't wish to speak about your wife...and she pressed on.

I agree with Helene in NYC, and Oliver in Switzerland, Americans should behave in other countries according to THAT nation's MANNERS and customs--not our ours. But then, we have psychotic "leaders," and therefore trickle down barbarity.

The last US public officials who had class were Jack and Jackie Kennedy. During their famous 1961 visit to la belle France, 2 million French people lined the streets of Paris waving American flags and screaming Viva la President! Viva Jackie! Viva le Etats-Unis! And when Sargent Shriver was U.S. Ambassador to wonderful France in 1965, he was voted among the top 5 most admired persons in the country.

Mr. Sarkozy is millions-fold better than what we have. I'm very sorry for his divorce. I think he really loves his wife, and wish he, his family, beautiful nation, and the EU, all the best.

Suzanne, San Francisco, CA. USA

Better proof articles... "Mr Sarkozy is *sue* to visit the United States from November 6 to 7." emphasis mine

Derek Dawson, London,

Have at it Sarko! I love it when leaders have the guts to stand up to the press in any country when they ask inappropriate questions . Just because you are a public figure doesn't make you fair game for the press and their invasive personal questions. And then the press acts like it is an affront that they were stiffed. I like Sarko more every day. I wish England would find someone with some back bone. Where is Margaret T. when you need her?

Jim Kelley, St. Louis , USA

Naaah, don't stress too much about this guy... if you check back history, you'll see that french people talk tough, but when push comes to shove...where are the french? nowhere to be seen...do I sound a little bitter? perhaps...And no, I'm not a french hater... I'm actually half french... what I am is frustrated about France electing the wrong person over and over again...oh well...never ask a french man how is it going with his significant other...there's no way you're gonna get a good answer for that one...
Peace

Erick, Heredia, Costa Rica

I saw the interview last night and I was very impressed by him...he may have a bit of a temper but Lesley Stahl overstepped when she asked him about his private affairs. There are much more pressing world matters to discuss with a leader. Viva Sarkozy!

Melissa, Montgomery, Alabama

As a French citizen I did not vote for Sarkozy but I totally agree with his answer on CBS. 87% of French people did not give a damn about his divorce. We don't care about our President's personal life. Asking him on TV about his wife was incredibly rude and the journalist got what she deserved. Grow up CBS !

Helene , Setauket, New York

another example of u.s.-american ignorance and superciliousness:
lesley stahl, celebrated in the u.s.of a. - unknown in europe - comes to france, doesn't even speak french (here in europe journalists usually speak several languages) and asks silly personal high-school-locker-room questions with no relevance to sarkozy's political work.
i congratulate monsieur sarkozy for walking out. "allez!" he says to ms. stahl in the cbs trailer. "what was unfair?" she squeamishly whines. ms. stahl should learn european manners and first of all french! or stay in her airconditioned 60-minutes studio.

Oliver, suisse (switzerland),

Ahem, a person with the name Sarkozy would have difficulty becoming President of the USA...

Lionel, Philadelphia, USA

Way to go President Sarkozy, You've just won over the american heartland. It's about time a politician told off CBS! He's done what most American's have been wishing many politicians would do!

If he ever visit's Florida, he'll get a huge welcome!
Anne, Orlando FL

Anne, Orlando, FL

That is an absurd comment. I agree with fe, CBS got what it deserved. It is this tabloid style of journalism that too many mainstream outlets have embraced that makes me lose faith in the press.

John, Philadelphia,

In European circles, there is far less tolerance for the stupidity of what has become of the American Mainstream Media. If more people would respond to the inane questions and topics that pass for journalism in this country with anger; we would be far better off. Thank you President Sarkozy.

Neal Maffei, New York, New York

President Sarkozy has my heightened respect for choosing not to continue an interview with a reporter that obviously did not do their research. Asking such a blatantly insulting question should be beneath the media. CBS exposed their lack of journalistic integrity that was needed in this interview.
Who cares about his private life? What he has to say about world events and France's place in them is the real story. If anything we now know Sarkozy is a man of integrity and versed in world affairs.

I would gladly have discussions with this intellegent world leader. He knows what is important to his role and what is sensationalistic politics.

Bravo for Sarkozy!
I wish more leaders would actually follow his lead with the idiotic "reporters" here!

Mark Mazz, Manhattan, New York

Good for Sarkozy! With everything going on in the world Lesley Stahl asks about his marriage. He is the president of France not David Hasselhoff!

Rob, Raleigh, United States/ NC

Leslie Stahl asked a National Inquirer type of question and
Sarkozy was absolutely correct to end the interview. The stupidity of such a personal question when so many other
questions of substance could have been asked is unworthy of
60 Minutes. Donald Shult Paxton, Il.

Donald Shult, Paxton, Iroquois county, Illinois

I totally understand why he would have stormed off. If anything, I have more respect for him.

Amy, Colorado Springs,

Another French surrender in history...big whoop.

Kevin , Atlanta, Georgia

Sarkozy gave them what they deserved. More media focus on issues that matter and more respect for a visiting dignitary would certainly have been in order here.

Diana , Paris, France

I watched as the interviewer tried to change the interview into an expose. If I was the President of France I would have walked off the set as well. Our press is out of hand trying to sell us this kind of crap about people. Anna Nicole, Britney Spears, Lindsey Lohan,President Bush, it just doesn't matter to people that have no conscience.Class is something the press has no idea about. What do you expect from a fake blonde!

Robert Blake, Pittsford, NY/USA

As a French citizen I did not vote for Sarkozy but I totally agree with his answer on CBS. 87% of French people did not give a damn about his divorce. We don't care about our President's personal life. Asking him on TV about his wife was incredibly rude and the journalist got what she deserved. Grow up CBS !

Helene , Setauket, New York

Ten Iran leaders will not compare with one french

Fernando, Budapest,

Sarkozy did waht most Americans think! The news media ask soem of the stupidest questions looking for scandal rather than asking important questions about the French Government! It's about time!

Ron, Richmond , USAF/VA

Good for Sarko! With the current state of the world, questions about Iraq, Iran, oil, and NATO are what CBS should focus on, not tabloid trash fodder. CBS got the comeuppance it deserved.

fe, NYC, NY

After having watched Monsieur le President on 60 Minutes last night, I've come to the conclusion that M. Sarkozy is all flash and no substance. I think he will end up being a great disappointment to la France.

Mark, Chicago, USA/IL

And we are supposed to be worried about Iran ! Here we have the leader of an established nuclear power who is apparently unstable with a disturbingly short fuse.

Paul, Stockholm,