In 2008, John McCain finally got his wish to be the Republican nominee for President. His timing and selection of a vice presidential candidate were both horrible.
Since 2005, President George W. Bush’s popularity has plummeted, due in part to the perceived mismanagement of Hurricane Katrina relief, specifically to New Orleans, and to a looming financial crisis that would crater the stock market in September 2008. This, coupled with a new face of the Democratic party in Barack Obama, made McCain’s climb to the pinnacle of American government that much steeper.
McCain, a decorated war hero, chose little-known Alaska Governor Sarah Palin for vice president. Though attractive, she was a fresh face in national politics and the first female nominated for Vice President of the Republican Party. Governor Palin proved to be a marketing disaster. Her appearances on national TV programs did nothing to dispel the idea that she was inexperienced and could be a divisive voice. The media did nothing to point out her positive attributes, namely that conservative women (and men) liked her.
Ultimately, Obama and Biden were handily beaten by McCain and Palin.
The pin shown here is one of my favorites from 2008. It was made for the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota. The slogan and visuals are great, but the campaign was not.
