But the prospect of a Socialist victory is hardly reassuring, given the party's pledges to reverse Mr Sarkozy's rise in the retirement age and to create a mass youth public-employment scheme.Some Socialist presidential hopefuls, who will contest a primary in October, have begun to talk more responsibly about debt.
Two years ago, Mr Kerry savaged Mr Bush over Iraq, but talked relatively responsibly about a gradual withdrawal.
As always, use these talking points responsibly, and refrain from operating heavy machinery while doing so.
"The truth is you can't really faithfully, responsibly talk about literature... without recognising that this is a fart in a gale of wind compared to the fact that people are dying over ridiculous decisions made by the fools that run my country," he says, sounding suddenly like a man you really wouldn't want to annoy in a bar.
That is frustrating, because there are so many different entry points from which Oprah could talk about HIV responsibly.
When you show your parents, make sure to talk to them responsibly about your chores and whatever else.
So what I and my fellow Omanis have learned from the protests is that we need to talk, peacefully, respectfully and responsibly, about our past, present and future; about our recent disconnect; and about our shared investment and responsibility.
And you can see it in the actions of Chris Christie, the governor of New Jersey, who talks loudly about acting responsibly but may actually be the least responsible governor the state has ever had.
He reaffirmed this position several days later during a debate in his re-election campaign, urging lawmakers to "talk about how we could responsibly fund tuition equality".
While justifying the nation's decade-long commitment, he talked of "ending the war responsibly" and warned of the perils of overextending the military by sending large numbers of soldiers into combat.
