, the longtime senior U.S. Senator from Arizona , was launched with an informal announcement on February 28 , 2007 during a live taping of the '' Late Show with David Letterman '' , and formally launched at an event on April 25 , 2007 . His second candidacy for the Presidency of the United States , he had previously run for his party 's nomination in the 2000 primaries and was considered as a potential running mate for his party 's nominee , then-Governor George W. Bush of Texas . After winning a majority of delegates in the Republican primaries of 2008 , on August 29 , leading up to the convention , McCain selected Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska as his running mate for Vice President . Five days later , at the 2008 Republican National Convention , McCain was formally selected as the Republican Party presidential nominee in the 2008 presidential election
2008 Republican National Convention
2008 Republican National Convention
John McCain 2008 presidential campaign