The French president's appearance Monday night on TV is making waves and not just because of his remarks. In his first major public address after two weeks of riots swept France, Chirac appeared wearing spectacles -- a throwback to his appearance during the 1970s.The president -- who will be 73 on Nov. 29 -- also appeared tired and old.
In the 1980s, Chirac traded his spectacles for contact lenses, in an effort to look more up-to-date and appeal to a younger electorate. After serving stints as French prime minister and mayor of Paris, Chirac was elected French president in 1995. He was re-elected in 2002.
His popularity has plummeted in recent months. A new IPSOS survey published in Le Point weekly, however, gives Chirac a 39 percent popularity score, up 6 points from October.
In September, Chirac suffered what many analysts describe as a stroke. That, plus a string of other recent political defeats, has prompted many analysts to write off his chances of running for or winning a third term in 2007.
Interesting how they kind of snuck that little tidbit in right near the end.