A lot has been said in recent days about what foreigners think about the campaign for president in the U.S. The general message is that all foreigners hate John McCain and especially Sarah Palin, and want Barack Obama to win.

Elsevier, one of the best political magazines in the Netherlands, decided to ask female politicians - members of Parliament and cabinet ministers - what they think of Palin. The answers may surprise you.

Maria van der Hoeven (Christian Democrats - coalition party) , 59, Economy Minister said: “I had never heard of Palin. I believe she has a great presentation [i.e., how she presents herself and her party]. She knows what she wants. Ze does not serve as an example for me personally, but she is a role model for a large part of the American population. It has to be very exciting for her to stand in front of such a big crowd. My maximum is 25,000 people, last week in Lourdes, where I had to read an epistel. I find it quite an accomplishment of the Republicans that they seemingly found a strategy with which they could lure Hillary-supporters to them. From a strategic perspective a very good move indeed.”

Sharon Gesthuizen (Socialist Party), 32, MP: “She strikes you as very strong and warm, but through her words sounds a hard message. And you have to look at her views, not at her gender. Strategically it is a very smart move. She received a minutes-long applause during the Republican National Convention, people love her. The combination politics and family is possible. But you have to make sacrifices. I had to move from Haarlem to The Hague for it, and my boyfriend had to search for a new job. But children are also a wonderful way to let go of politics.”

Rita Verdonk (Proud of Netherlands), 52, MP: “I like it, such an unknown woman who has to deliver such a big speech, at a time when she’s unlucky enough to know that her young daughter is pregnant. Haha, but I was impressed. That’s a strange feeling, when you know that so many people are watching you. Of course you’re nervous in that situation. But when you believe in something, you become energetic. Hillary was my favorite. But Palin is tough: a former photomodel with political talents, who has a sense of humor as well! Humor is important.”

Edith Schippers (VVD - liberal conservative party), 44, MP: “I find it fascinating how she was able to give the Republican campaign a boost. I don’t agree at all with some of Palin’s views on abortion, or generally with her Christian fundamentalist views. But I think she’s a plus for McCain. ‘President McCain’ would not be a bad thing. But, what if he dies during his administration and Palin becomes president. That’s a big risk. You see that increasingly more in the West: inexperienced people being put in ‘top-places.’ I believe people should prove themselves first.”

No word on what she thinks about Obama.

Fatma Koser Kaya (Democrats 66), 40, MP: “If you’ve got five children and make such a big step, you have to be capable of very much indeed. I think that the only person doing what she does in the Netherlands is Andre Rouvoet. I find the choice for Palin inspiring even though I do not agree with her views. She is able to give her supporters a feeling of expectations, similar to how Obama represents ‘hope’ for the Democrats and a promise that the future will be better. I saw supporters with tears in their eyes.”

Samira Bouchibti (PvdA, coalition party), 37, MP: “It’s going in the right direction in America: they’ve got, aside from Palin for VP, a black candidate for president as well. One day the same will happen in the Netherlands; a woman or new Dutchman becoming Prime Minister [ed. 'new Dutchman' is a term progressives use for people whose parents or who themselves are immigrants].”

Esme Wiegman (Christian Union - coalition party), 33, MP: “I received many reactions, like: ‘Sarah Palin is an orthodox Chirstian, young lady with kids - I’ve got three, Palin five - and she has strong views on issues like abortion: don’t you feel a bond with her?’ Honestly, I don’t. On social and environmental issues she has completely different views. But she’s got a magnificent, beautiful appearance. She’s still beautiful despite having 5 kids. And: I find it beautiful to see how normal it is at the Republican National Convention for religious people to practice their faith.”

Laetitia Griffith (VVD), 42, MP: “McCain made a great move. Everyone’s focused on Palin. Conservative voters now have a reason to vote Republican. She leaves a strong, powerful impression when speaking before a huge crowd, she seems to feel right at home, like a fish in the water. Her presentation is very American. The prospect of her becoming America’s first female president is very real. On the other hand, McCain’s mother is 94 years old and gives people the impression she’ll live for quite some years more. It’s a historical campaign, I’m very happy I’m able to see this happening.” - Ms. Griffith is a black politician; for her, this campaign is double historic.

Roos Vermeij (PvdA, coalition party), 40, MP: “She was governor of Alaska for only a short while, a state with a population of 600,000, and before that she was mayor of a small-town village no one ever heard of. And that woman could become president of the United States! I find it fantastic, such a risky choice. We are much more conservative. It’s interesting by the way that they only spent a couple of days screening her. One wonders whether a couple of days were enough. Because now that we find out more about her she seems to be a category “strange women” woman, haha, with her crazy husband who calls himself ‘The First Dude.’ Magnificent!”