Typically liberal ranting from the French Socialist candidate

On one hand, you'd think they would mature at some point, these lefties. But on the other hand, fear mongering is one of the most often used plays of their playbook, so they pull it out whenever they can.

France risks violence and brutality if right-winger Nicolas Sarkozy wins Sunday's presidential election, his Socialist opponent Segolene Royal said on Friday.

On the last day of official campaigning, opinion polls showed Sarkozy enjoyed a commanding lead over Royal, who accused the former interior minister of lying and polarizing France.

"Choosing Nicolas Sarkozy would be a dangerous choice," Royal told RTL radio.

"It is my responsibility today to alert people to the risk of (his) candidature with regards to the violence and brutality that would be unleashed in the country (if he won)," she said.

Pressed on whether there would actually be violence, Royal said: "I think so, I think so," referring specifically to France's volatile suburbs hit by widespread rioting in 2005.

Isn't that pathetic. It's not "vote for me because my ideas are good" or even "vote for me because I'll work for prosperity", but instead the french hear "vote for me or else . . . something bad will happen."

But it's typical. The left really can't offer anything that people will vote FOR. If they did that, then they'd have to tell people that they are FOR abortion, FOR higher taxes, FOR bigger government, FOR the nanny state, FOR more regulation . . . you get the idea. And there's no salesman on earth who could make that pitch (not even Slick Willie). But they can run like mad against any idea.

France's Hillary problem may be clearing up

France's conservative candidate, Nicolas Sarkozy, appears headed for victory after their debate earlier in the week.

French conservative Nicolas Sarkozy extended his lead after a television debate with Socialist rival Segolene Royal and stayed on course for victory in Sunday's election, opinion polls showed on Thursday.

A poll for the Opinionway institute showed 53 percent of viewers found Sarkozy more convincing during the sometimes fiery debate, against 31 percent who judged Royal better.

...

Sarkozy, a right-wing former interior minister and the favorite of financial markets, has hammered young hoodlums, illegal immigrants and enthused supporters with his attacks on the left wing protesters of May 1968.

Hated and feared as a dangerous authoritarian by many on the left, he has nonetheless been consistently rated the more "presidential" of the two candidates by most voters.

Lucky them.

France has its own Hillary problem

And I can't say it any better than the headline of this article in the Guardian Unlimited.

Socialists push Royal towards the centre to break Sarkozy's grip

Gee, I wonder who's the conservative in this story?