48 Hours and Counting before French Presidential Election

Presidential politics has riveted France like nothing in years. The audience for this week’s final debate was almost as large as it was for last years World Soccer Cup finals. On that two and a half-hour TV debate, Socialist Ségolène Royal -- the first woman candidate for President -- came on strong. Conservative Nicolas Sarkozy played it cool -- despite his reputation for a quick temper. Both are fighting it out for the center. James Graff is Paris Bureau Chief for Time magazine.