According to the book '' Game Change '' , on the weekend before John McCain made his vice-presidential pick , McCain 's advisor Arthur Culvahouse asked attorney Ted Frank to prepare a written vetting report on Sarah Palin : On August 29 ( McCain 's 72nd birthday ) , at the Nutter Center of Wright State University in Dayton , Ohio , McCain 's running mate was revealed in a surprise pick as Alaska Governor Sarah Palin . McCain had only talked to her a few times , and the campaign 's vetting operation had mostly relied on Internet searches to check her background . Palin 's career in Alaska had shown maverick tendencies similar to McCain 's , and McCain hoped that Palin 's youth , reformist record , appeal to social conservatives , and appeal to disaffected Hillary Clinton voters would outweigh her lack of national and international visibility and experience . One of McCain 's aides privately remarked via an American football metaphor during the announcement : " We just threw long . " At the 2008 Republican National Convention , McCain was formally nominated by roll call on the night of September 3 , following Palin 's vice-presidential acceptance speech . McCain himself appeared onstage at the convention for the first time following her speech , telling the cheering delegates , " Do n't you think we made the right choice for the next vice president of the United States ? " McCain accepted his party 's nomination the following night
2008 Republican National Convention
2008 Republican National Convention
John McCain 2008 presidential campaign