Word: frenchmen
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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...quintessentially Gaullist policy of economic independence from the U.S. or any other country, he seemed the inevitable second-round beneficiary of almost all of the Chaban vote. Mitterrand, however, was not about to let Gaullists forget that he had something to offer them too. "There exist many Frenchmen who identify themselves with the history of Gaullism, but not with the right of big business," he declared. He reminded Gaullists that Giscard was partly responsible for the general's forced retirement in 1969 when Giscard urged a non vote against De Gaulle. Even Mitterrand's ally, Communist Boss Georges...
...both candidates postured in similar quasi-Gaullist roles, Frenchmen were left to ponder the very real differences between them: Mitterrand, the solid, earnest leader committed to social reform but allied with the lockstep Communist Party, and Giscard, the cool, successful administrator concerned with growth but seeming at times too far removed from human needs. Said one Gaullist Deputy: "My heart says Mitterrand. My mind says Giscard...
...past," charged Giscard. "I tried to talk of the future, but it is impossible to debate the future with you!" Replied Mitterrand: "Change in France is not to allow you to continue your antisocial programs." About 20 million Frenchmen watched the exchange, but the two were so evenly matched that neither seemed to have won a clear advantage...
...stop Mitterrand. The flashy, thrice-wed former Resistance hero not only got the endorsement of the old-line Gaullists, but he ceaselessly flaunted it at rallies of the faithful around the country. Yet Chaban's carefully cultivated image of continuity with the past was plainly unappealing to many Frenchmen, who seem to want a change from the elitist tradition of De Gaulle. Although Chaban started out with a slight lead over Giscard in the polls, he was 14 points behind going into this week's election...
...Giscard, ignoring the fact that he has served in Gaullist cabinets for nine years, argued that "France needs a young face in all fields, including politics. France will have a new generation -the postwar generation-and with it, we will enter the new era that awaits us." Though most Frenchmen seemed to agree, it remained to be seen whether they would choose their new faces from the left or the right...