<p>But the author of "Carla: A Secret Life", an unauthorised biography chronicling her transformation from an allegedly tempestuous man-eater into an apparent meek, model spouse, suggests Carla Bruni-Sarkozy has become something of a political liability for her husband.</p>.<p>Besma Lahouri says Bruni-Sarkozy's alleged rivalry with Michelle Obama has strained relations between the French and US presidential couples, and her image of distant, well-heeled perfection has kept her at arm's length from the French people.</p>.<p>At a time when the conservative president's popularity has plummeted, and he is being criticized for raising the retirement age and cracking down on Eastern European Gypsy immigrants, having a more accessible first lady might soften his image, she said.</p>.<p>"The French don't know their first lady, and her worries seem to them very far removed from their own," Lahouri told The Associated Press in an interview Tuesday, a day ahead of the much-anticipated release of her book.</p>.<p> All the French have seen of Bruni-Sarkozy of late, Lahouri said, is footage of her with the Queen of England and other dignitaries, picture-perfect in Christian Dior skirt suits with marching hats, shoes and handbags.</p>
<p>But the author of "Carla: A Secret Life", an unauthorised biography chronicling her transformation from an allegedly tempestuous man-eater into an apparent meek, model spouse, suggests Carla Bruni-Sarkozy has become something of a political liability for her husband.</p>.<p>Besma Lahouri says Bruni-Sarkozy's alleged rivalry with Michelle Obama has strained relations between the French and US presidential couples, and her image of distant, well-heeled perfection has kept her at arm's length from the French people.</p>.<p>At a time when the conservative president's popularity has plummeted, and he is being criticized for raising the retirement age and cracking down on Eastern European Gypsy immigrants, having a more accessible first lady might soften his image, she said.</p>.<p>"The French don't know their first lady, and her worries seem to them very far removed from their own," Lahouri told The Associated Press in an interview Tuesday, a day ahead of the much-anticipated release of her book.</p>.<p> All the French have seen of Bruni-Sarkozy of late, Lahouri said, is footage of her with the Queen of England and other dignitaries, picture-perfect in Christian Dior skirt suits with marching hats, shoes and handbags.</p>