French President Nicolas Sarkozy was in Washington last night and had dinner with President Bush at the White House. Mr. Sarkozy has come to win the hearts and minds again of Americans. I think it is working very well!

French President Nicolas Sarkozy opened a new, cozier chapter in U.S.-French relations, saying he came to Washington with a simple message: “I wish to reconquer the heart of America in a lasting fashion.”

This was the first time a French President has had dinner in the White House in some time. As I’m sure you all know, ex French President Chirac was not a big fan of the United States. Just as the United States was not a big fan of him. But, now the Nicolas Sarkozy has taken over the French Presidency, relations are starting to warm again with France. As I have stated before, we need the French and they need us. Hopefully this will be a good starting point. Sarkozy has been saying all the right things, along with a little humor.

“I also came to say that one can be a friend of America, and yet win elections in France,” Sarkozy joked during his toast at a White House dinner where the two leaders dined on lobster bisque and lamb.

Mr. Sarkozy is also going to be addressing Congress, the first time a French leader has addressed Congress since 1996. I look forward to this and hope that we can further our relations once again. As I’m sure you know, our relationship with France goes all the way back to the Revolutionary War. France was the deciding factor in our winning of the war with England. Once again in our history, both countries need each other in these trying times.