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McCain Takes the Stage

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Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, left, is joined by Republican presidential candidate John McCain, right, and her family, at the end of her speech at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
John McCain joins Sarah Palin at the end of her speech at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

It will be hard to top VP nominee Sarah Palin’s big show last night. More than 37 million viewers tuned in — almost as many as watched Barack Obama’s stadium speech in Denver.

But John McCain has a bigger challenge than besting his running mate and Obama at the podium. Tonight, he needs to nail the Republican base — and pull in the millions of independent voters he needs to put him over the top. To be rebel and Republican.

This hour, On Point: John McCain’s big night, and John McCain’s big challenge.

You can join the conversation. What do you expect to hear from John McCain tonight? What do you want to hear? Does he have to knock it out of the park tonight in order to win in November? Tell us what you think.Guests:

Joining us here in St. Paul are:

Sen. Orrin Hatch, Republican senator from Utah. He has represented the state in the United State Senate since 1977.

Rep. Heather Wilson, Republican Congresswoman from New Mexico. Since 1988, she has represented New Mexico’s first district, which includes Albuquerque. She is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and the only woman veteran in Congress.

Fred Thys, political reporter at WBUR-Boston covering the convention in St. Paul.

Jonathan Kaufman, political editor of The Wall Street Journal. His latest piece, "Palin Candidacy Exposes Divisions Among Women," looks at how partisan and class lines have been burred in the response to her selection.

David Mark, senior editor at Politico.com.

Stephen Hayes, senior writer at The Weekly Standard. His cover story in the current issue is "How Palin Got Picked."

And joining us from San Jose, California, is Rep. Mike Honda, vice chair of the Democratic National Committee and U.S. Congressman from the California's 15th District.

This program aired on September 4, 2008.

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