Sarah Palin

Who would’ve thunk it. John McCain’s big week has been nearly overwhelmed by a 44-year-old mother of five, moose-guttin’ governor of Alaska.

Alaska Magazine calls Sarah Palin "America’s Hottest Governor." John McCain calls her ready to be a heartbeat from the presidency.

Here in St. Paul this week she’s been called Evita, Joan of Arc, heroic reformer, inspired choice, reckless choice, insult to the electorate, and salvation of the GOP ticket. Tonight she speaks.

This hour, On Point: John McCain’s high stakes gamble — Governor Sarah Palin.

You can join the conversation. What do you make of the Alaska governor? Her politics, her record, her family values, her readiness to step in if John McCain checks out? Is this your choice to break the glass ceiling?Guests:

Peter Wallsten, reporter for the Los Angeles Times covering the conventions. He’s been raising tough questions about how Governor Palin was vetted by the McCain team.

Sen. Lyda Green, Alaska State Senate President. A Republican from Sarah Palin's hometown district, she and the governor have not seen eye-to-eye on many issues.

Kellyanne Conway, Republican pollster and co-author of "What Women Really Want: How American Women Are Quietly Erasing Political, Racial, Class, and Religious Lines to Change the Way We Live."

Ruth Marcus, columnist for The Washington Post. You can read her recent columns here, including Sunday's, "A Heartbeat Away From Cynicism," in which she argues that McCain's pick of Palin undermines his maverick credentials.

Beverly Gage, professor of 20th-century political history at Yale University.