France's latest celebrated underdog is Philippe Poutou, a Ford factory worker and head of an anti-capitalist party who became one of the stars of the second presidential debate. Poutou, a balding 50-year-old wearing a long-sleeved T-shirt who slouched over his lectern for parts of the three-hour televised exchange, signalled his intent with his opening remarks. "Aside from (communist candidate) Natalie Arthaud, I think I'm the only person standing at these lecterns to have a normal profession, a normal job," said the mechanic from southwest Bordeaux.



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