French President Nicolas Sarkozy has earned respect and appreciation from conservatives in the United States through his advocacy of a free-market approach to solving France's economic problems. In a further contrast with his predecessor, he seems to actively seek improved relations with the United States. And if reports are true, he's about to make a move that will earn him many more American fans:

President Nicolas Sarkozy and the former model Carla Bruni will marry in February, just over two months after they met, according to the French press.

Their whirlwind romance continued at the weekend, with a private visit to Jordan, at the invitation of King Abdullah. The President, 52, posed for photographs in the ruined city of Petra, with Mme Bruni's four-year-old son Aurelié perched on his shoulders.

The Elysée Palace refused to comment yesterday on a report in the Journal du Dimanche that the couple would marry on 8 or 9 February. Mme Bruni's mother, Marisa Borini, told the Italian press last week that President Sarkozy had asked her for her daughter's hand. "I told him: 'Mr President, I have no reason to refuse you'," Mme Borini said.

There are often 'parallels' in western politics. Analysts look especially to the United Kingdom for political trends that may be emerging in the United States--like when the U.S. and U.K. replaced conservatives Reagan and Thatcher with more moderate conservatives Bush and Major. To the extent that there may be any similarities between U.S. and French politics, this might be a hopeful sign for the underdog candidacy of Fred Thompson. After all, Ms. Bruni is more a trophy wife than Jeri Thompson will ever be.