You are missing the worst part of him sending a similiar letter to Giorgio Napolitano... he is not the leader of Italy, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is.
So just like in France, he sent the letter to the person who is NOT IN CHARGE.
So either he is coming off as a blatant snub to the true leaders of both France and Italy, or he is seen as a baffoon.
Either way, it’s not good.
Remember, this guy was the Chairman of the Senate subcommittee on European Affairs.