Women stepping up in the French political game sounds like a good thing, but will it prove a handicap or an advantage for her to be a woman when running for the presidency? Even some supposedly progressive and open-minded leaders of the PS had some quite shocking macho comments at the time she announced her possible candidacy to the PS internal caucus. My guess is that if she were to represent the PS in the national election, she would probably draw quite a few votes from the center/undecided electorate, from women obviously but also men willing to see things changing a bit.  However, I am affraid it will be difficult for her to win the internal PS caucus (too many factions, not necessarily the most 'enlightened' militant base).

PS is flooded with potential candidates.  Why her?  After all, she was not one of the most visible left wing politicians of late (mostly junior portfolio positions, no major reforms carried out, not the most prominent local council, etc.). When she appeared 10/15 years ago, she was quite aggressive and outspoken (but no necesarily pragmatic, constructive and efficient unlike some other PS women of her generation), and frankly I was not impressed.  Since then, she has avoided confontation or positioning on key issues (I may be wrong, but I do not remmeber her taking a strong stance on the European constitution poll last year). Actually, this is probably why she makes sense as a PS candidate and she could be the one able to bridge both edges of the divided political PS party.

Now, will PS win it?

'La fin désastreuse a répondu aux moyens indignes' Germain Tillion