On Monday morning, students lined up in the rain for over an hour, hoping to see President Sarkozy speak.

Although the French head of state did not read a prepared speech, he did bring his own podium. The Daily Mail reports the 5-foot, five-inch president had a lectern  specially constructed to make him appear taller and more statesmanlike during his address.

Sarkozy's trip comes at a time of falling poll numbers back home. The war in Afghanistan is unpopular with the French people and late last year the French government declined a US request for an additional 1,500 combat troops. At the forum, though, Sarkozy pledged to stand by the US.

"We will stay by your side in Afghanistan, because the fight against terrorism is a fight that we are, all of us, involved in. Not simply the Americans. All of us. Because, I do not want the Taliban to make Afghanistan suffer, nor do I want nuclear weapons to fall in the hands of [terrorists].

While speaking about the economy, the French president joked about American perceptions of France.

"I know that when a Frenchman comes here, he's always a suspect in some way. "Isn't he really talking about protectionism, perhaps? Isn't he a bit of a socialist?""

Despite his humor, Sarkozy had harsh words for bankers and the US financial system.

"What can we tell the unemployed who have no responsibility in this, whose fault it is not, and who see that the world economy was shaken to its roots simply because a few hundred totally irresponsible hotheads did mad things on the stock market, with derivatives and with other peoples' money? Do you think we can defend capitalism, market economy, free trade when there is so much injustice? I don't think so, because it is impossible to defend."

Sarkozy headed to Washington on Tuesday with a message from Columbia. President Bollinger requested a favor of the French president.

When you dine tomorrow evening, alone with President Obama, would you please extend to him our very best regards from his alma mater.