John McCain was a presidential nominee in November 2008.
John McCain . He was the Republican nominee for the 2008 U.S. presidential election . He secured the nomination in 2008 after coming back from early reversals , but was defeated by Democratic candidate Barack Obama in the general election , losing by a 365 -- 173 electoral college margin and by 53 -- 46 % in the popular vote . United States presidential election, 2008 . It was held on Tuesday , November 4 , 2008 .