Claim: In 2008, John McCain campaigned in the 56th quadrennial presidential election.
Evidence: 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.
The United States presidential election of 2008 was the 56th quadrennial presidential election.