I do love me my French politics:
Royal, who was leading opinion polls in the presidential race just a few weeks ago, has slipped eight points behind her main rival, Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy of the ruling Union for a Popular Movement party, or UMP. Her campaign has been plagued by blunders, gaffes and internal party disputes that included a public spat over taxes between Royal and the party's head -- who is also her longtime partner and the father of her four children.
In the past week, French newspapers and magazines have switched from publishing pictures of a smiling Royal to showing a frowning or scowling Royal.
I love the linkage between facial expressions and campaign momentum. It's simple, but classy.
