Getting to know you

When Richard Nixon announced his running mate was Spiro Agnew, the largely unknown, two-year governor of Maryland, the campaign had 89 days to introduce him to the American public.

Yesterday's announcement of Sarah Palin, the largely unknown, two-year governor of Alaska, as John McCain's running mate came only 67 days before Election Day. It will be the shortest vice presidential candidacy in modern history.

Hubert Humphrey previously held the record for his 69 day candidacy in 1964, followed by what is to be the 73 day candidacy of Joe Biden '08 and the 75 day candidacy of Bob Dole '76. Estes Kefauver, the last premodern candidate as he was not chosen by the top of the ticket, was on for 80 days in 1956, and Dan Quayle (1988) was announced 82 days before voters went to the polls.

The longest vice presidential candidacy in modern history was John Edwards' 2004 effort, lasting 119 days. Lloyd Bentsen was on for 118 days in 1988, while Lyndon Johnson (1960) and Geraldine Ferraro (1984) campaigned for 117 days. Thomas Eagleton would have gone 117 days as well, had he not dropped off the 1972 Democratic ticket due to revelations about his mental health.