John McCain 2008 presidential campaign facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John McCain for President 2008
Campaign	2008 Republican primaries 2008 U.S. presidential election
Candidate	John McCain U.S. Representative from Arizona (1983–1987) U.S. Senator from Arizona (1987–2018) Sarah Palin Governor of Alaska (2006–2009)
Affiliation	Republican Party
Status	Announced: February 28, 2007 Presumptive nominee: March 4, 2008 Nominated: September 4, 2008 Lost election: November 4, 2008
Headquarters	Arlington, Virginia
Key people	Steve Schmidt (Operations Chief) Richard H. Davis (Campaign Manager) Robert Mosbacher (General Chairman) Tom Loeffler (Co-chair) Tim Pawlenty (Co-chair) Jill Hazelbaker (Spokeswoman)
Receipts	US$370 million (December 31, 2007)
Slogan	Country First The Original Maverick Best Prepared to Lead from Day One Courageous Service, Experienced Leadership, Bold Solutions. A leader we can believe in Reform • Prosperity • Peace
Chant	'Maverick Drill, Baby, Drill!'

John McCain, a well-known U.S. Senator from Arizona, ran for President of the United States in 2008. He first mentioned his campaign on February 28, 2007, and officially launched it on April 25, 2007. This was his second time trying to become president.

After winning enough support in the Republican Party primary elections, he chose Sarah Palin, the Governor of Alaska, to be his running mate for Vice President. Five days later, McCain became the official Republican candidate at their national convention. However, on November 4, 2008, he lost the election to the Democratic candidate, Barack Obama.

John McCain's 2008 Presidential Campaign

John McCain was a long-serving U.S. Senator from Arizona. He had also run for president in 2000 but did not win the nomination. In 2008, he decided to run again. His campaign focused on his experience and his dedication to the country.

Starting the Campaign

McCain informally announced his plan to run for president on February 28, 2007. He did this during a TV show. Later, on April 25, 2007, he held a formal event to officially start his campaign. This marked the beginning of his journey to become president.

Winning the Republican Nomination

To become the official candidate for the Republican Party, McCain had to win a series of state-by-state elections called "primaries." These elections help parties choose their best candidate. McCain worked hard and won a majority of the delegates, who are like representatives. By March 4, 2008, he was considered the likely nominee. He was formally chosen as the Republican Party's presidential candidate on September 4, 2008, at their national convention.

Choosing a Running Mate: Sarah Palin

A "running mate" is the person a presidential candidate chooses to run with them as Vice President. On August 29, 2008, John McCain announced his choice: Sarah Palin. At the time, she was the Governor of Alaska. This choice was a big surprise to many people and brought a lot of attention to the campaign.

The General Election Race

After becoming the official nominee, McCain faced the Democratic candidate, Senator Barack Obama from Illinois. The general election campaign was a long race. For most of the time, polls showed Obama leading. However, McCain's campaign saw a boost in support right after he announced Sarah Palin as his running mate and after the Republican National Convention.

Election Day Results

The election day was November 4, 2008. John McCain lost to Barack Obama. In the electoral college, which is how presidents are officially chosen, McCain received 173 votes. Obama received 365 votes. In terms of the total number of individual votes from people, called the "popular vote," McCain received about 46 percent, while Obama received about 53 percent.

Images for kids

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  John McCain officially announcing his 2008 run for President in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, April 25, 2007.

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  Senator John McCain interviewed at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, prior to the ribbon cutting ceremony of The Center for the Intrepid, a $50 million physical rehabilitation facility designed for servicemembers wounded in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. January 29, 2007.

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  John McCain campaigning in Merrimack, New Hampshire on December 29, 2007. "Mac is back!" became a familiar chant in his appearances once his campaign fortunes improved.

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  McCain reacts to his Super Tuesday victories during a celebration that night at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix

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  President George W. Bush endorsing Senator McCain at the White House March 5, 2008, following McCain's March 4 primary victory.

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  McCain at a campaign rally in Kenner, Louisiana in June 2008

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  The McCains campaign on September 15, 2008, following the Republican National Convention

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  Sarah Palin at campaign rally in Carson City, Nevada, September 13, 2008

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  The Palins and McCains campaigning in Fairfax, Virginia, September 10, 2008, following the Republican National Convention

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  Sarah Palin at a campaign rally in Des Moines, Iowa

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  Palin signing an autograph at a campaign rally in O'Fallon, Missouri

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  McCain (far left) participates in a bipartisan meeting with President Bush and members of Congress, including Barack Obama (far right), regarding the proposed bailout of U.S. financial system, September 25, 2008

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  John Rich performing his song "Raisin' McCain" at a campaign rally in O'Fallon, Missouri, August 31, 2008