In which way was the presidential election of 2008 unique in american history? a. al gore was the first third-party candidate to win a majority of the popular vote. b. john mccain was the first veteran of the armed forces to be nominated for president by a major political party. c. george w. bush was the first president to be elected to a third consecutive term of office. d. hilary clinton was the first woman to be a close contender for a major party's presidential nomination.