Opinion polls show that the French public may well reject the new draft constitution for the European Union in a national referendum on May 29, and some of France's critics in the US are finding it hard to conceal their glee. A French rejection of the constitution would not only be a slap in the face to President Jacques Chirac, so often a source of frustration in Washington, but it would derail what many Americans see as an attempt to build up Europe as a counterweight to US power.

If the French do indeed shoot down the constitution - which needs ratification by all 25 EU members to come into force - even some leading administration officials are likely to cheer.