NYT: Already Sniping New 'Conservative' French President Posted by Warner Todd Huston on May 6, 2007 - 17:41. The New York Times didn't even wait for the French election results to become general knowledge before they began their sniping of the new "Conservative" French president, Nicolas Sarkozy. In what is supposed to represent an analysis of his election, the Times spends more time in naked name calling than substance. Let's review some of the harsh words, slights and names the Greylady hurls at the new president elect. * Arrogant, brutal, an authoritarian demagogue... * ...one of the most polarizing figures...