Signs of desperation #4, 5, 6, and 7
While Germany ratifies EU constitution, things aren't as smooth in France:

Sign of desperation #4: Jacques Chirac goes on state-funded France2 news and tells the French in solemn tones that approving the EU Constitution will lead to full employment, avoiding epidemics, and "not having to give up our social model". He even promised to take into account the "concerns and hopes" of the French after the referendum, a much less likely outcome than the prior three promises (see Sign of desperation #6: below).

Sign of desperation #5: The same broadcast that featured Chirac's speech opened with a headline pondering the possibility of the insufferable Villepin becoming Prime Minister -- it's expected that, if the "non" vote wins, Raffarin's out of a job. Sarkozy, who wants the PM job, is rallying his own supporters.

Sign of desperation #6: Maybe not so much as desperation, but more like a lot of black clouds, are all those headlines: Preparing to say non and nee (no, not Ni), France May Reject EU Treaty, Threatening Integration, Chirac battles Treaty scepticism: For once, the French people are in the deeply satisfying position of holding their unpopular government to ransom - and keeping President Jacques Chirac on a knife-edge of suspense in the run-up to Sunday's referendum, France's farmers set for protest vote.
But then, Jacques's not going to take this lying down: France's Chirac To Disregard 'No' Vote.
Even if they vote 'no', they will just have to vote again, until they get it right?

Sign of desperation #7: Schroder and Zapatero are going to France to rally the "oui" vote.

The NY Sun explores the possiblity of An Atlanticist Moment

Prior signs of desperation listed here

Also posted at Blogger News Network

Update W has the front page from The Economist's op-ed: No would be the right answer in next week's French and Dutch referendums—and a good one for Europe