When Nicolas Sarkozy clinches the French conservatives’ presidential nomination Sunday in a big-budget, American-style bash, he will push this pivotal race for a discouraged nation into high gear. The anointment lands the dogged, divisive interior minister just one step away from a job he’s coveted for much of his life. The next three months may prove bruising for him and his Socialist rival Segolene Royal: Both must work hard to keep their parties united, and win over both moderates and extremes to come out on top. Full Story