John McCain won against Barack Obama.
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 .	nomination in 2008	John McCain presidential campaign, 2008	Democratic	Democratic Party (United States)	Barack Obama	Barack Obama	the general election	United States presidential election, 2008	electoral college margin	Electoral College (United States)
