On August 29 , 2008 , McCain revealed Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his surprise choice for a running mate . McCain was only the second U.S. major-party presidential nominee ( after Walter Mondale , who chose Geraldine Ferraro ) to select a woman for his running mate and the first Republican to do so . On September 3 , 2008 , McCain and Palin became the Republican Party 's presidential and vice presidential nominees at the 2008 Republican National Convention in Saint Paul , Minnesota . McCain surged ahead of Obama in national polls following the convention , as the Palin pick energized core Republican voters who had previously been wary of him . However , by the campaign 's own later admission , the rollout of Palin to the national media went poorly , and voter reactions to Palin grew increasingly negative , especially among independents and other voters concerned about her qualifications
2008 Republican National Convention
2008 Republican National Convention
John McCain