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Political acts in an election campaign follow precise rules: politicians have to represent a party, express their position, promise a better life. These three acts (represent, express, promise) organize the discourse of any candidate running for election. For the 2002 campaign, they were part of the context of a political crisis in which political communication does not come across as a necessary art, distinct from political activity, but adds to it. Lionel Jospin’s failure in the presidential election can be seen clearly by examining his speech acts in this context. The candidate Prime Minister simply ignored the constitutive rules of the political game: refusal to represent, expression of self, and confused and vague promises marked the campaign.