The comments of France’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Human Rights about Barack Obama – considering the fact that the election isn’t over yet, might be thought premature. But on the other hand, her boss Nicolas Sarkozy has already fawned over him before the global media.
“Le Parisien: Are you surprised by the interest in Obama’s candidacy?
Rama Yade: Obama has become a kind of world citizen. In a small way, he belongs to everyone. All of us watch America with a sort of envy – because what they’re doing, we aren’t able to do …
Le Parisien: What aren’t we able to do?
Rama Yade: To allow an to Obama emerge here! For me to enter into the government, it took all of Nicolas Sarkozy’s effort to overcome the reticence of the conservatives. They said: she’s too this, and not enough that. And, believe me, these conservatives are still there. Nicolas Sarkozy – he’s not conservative; that’s what I like about him.
Le Parisien: When you talk about Obama, why do you emphasize his age?
Rama Yade: Because that’s the first thing that strikes me about him! Do you see something else? He has three dominant traits: first, he’s very young; then, he isn’t a descendant of slaves but came, through his father, from very recent African immigration; and finally, his political career began very recently. But that man is in the process of becoming the president of the United States. Here, we have the impression that one must suffer for 40 years, be scarred and dragged through the mud before earning the right to have the highest responsibilities. And, when you get there, you don’t even have the right to be happy! But my governmental fate is in the hands of the President.”
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