I thought this summed it up nicely:
Sarkozy is dwarfed by international politics
Barack Obama is very tall. Nicolas Sarkozy isn't. The French President is used to having the hottest political spouse in the world, and suddenly he hasn't. Right now, Michelle upstages Carla, and she didn't even have to organise a photo-shoot on the roof of the White House to do it. What is a man with a bruised ego to do in such circumstances?
Joan Smith: Le Président is petulant and out of his depth - Joan Smith, Commentators - The Independent