Sarkozy becomes internet star following outburst

Althoughhis popularity is sagging in the polls, French President Nicolas Sarkozy has become an internet sensationafter he was caught on tapelosing his temper witha man in a crowd at a Parisagricultural fair.

Sarkozy, who was attendingan annual farm show over the weekend,was shaking hands with the crowd when he approachedoneman who refusedthe president'shand.

The man told Sarkozy: "You dirty me when you touch me."

Still smiling, Sarkozy responded:"Casse-toi alors, pauvre con, va," which roughly translates as: "Then piss off, youpathetic jerk. Go on."

The outburst was caught by a freelance cameraman. Morethan half a million people have since logged on to the Le Parisien newspaper websiteafter it posted a video of the incident.

Socialist leader and frequent Sarkozy critic Franois Hollande, speaking Sunday on Canal Plus TV, said Sarkozy was out of line and that it was "intolerable that the president isn't exemplary."

Sarkozy has engaged in public shouting matches and used tough language from time to time over his political career. While interior minister in 2005, he angered many residents from poor housing projects by calling young delinquents "scum."

Theclash comes as Sarkozy's popularity continues to slide. A new poll shows his approval rating at 38 per cent, nearly a 20 per cent drop in six months, prompted in part by rising food and fuel prices.

He has also drawn some criticism over his publicized romance and marriage to former supermodel Carla Bruni.

Sarkozy's fellow conservatives are already concerned that his sinking popularity rating could damage their chances in next month's municipal elections.