As many have pointed out, Maryland's Spiro Agnew was also a surprise vice presidential nominee with a thin resume from a small state. Agnew's selection was on a track even faster than Palin's. The choice was announced at noon on Aug. 8, 1968, and Agnew was nominated that night by the Republican convention. The echoes are interesting. From the New York Times, Aug. 10, 1968:

Nixon Defends His Choice

Nominee Hails Ticket

In his first public defense of his controversial running mate, Richard M. Nixon described Spiro T. Agnew today as "one of the most underrated political men in America." Citing the Maryland Governor's "poise under pressure," the Republican nominee declared: "When it comes to carrying the attack and resisting the attack, he's got it. You can look him in the eye and you know he's got it. People say he's not known. That's nonsense in this day and age. He's known now, and as the campaign goes on he'll become better known."...

Mr. Nixon conceded that his running mate would encounter criticism.
"The stakes are high and they'll hang him. But you watch him"

"Under pressure he is one of the best," Mr. Nixon said of Mr. Agnew, his personal choice for the ticket. "He has a good heart. He's an old-fashioned patriot, highly controlled."...

[Nixon] said that he had been impressed with Mr. Agnew's experience as Baltimore County Commissioner [sic. It was Baltimore County Executive], his record as Governor, and his experience in dealing with urban problems.

When the storm broke yesterday over Mr. Agnew's appointment, the Nixon staff members took pains to say that Mr. Nixon had not bowed to the South's demands or taken a sudden turn to the right...

Among the former Vice President's [Nixon's] guests was the evangelist Billy Graham, dressed in orange shirt and yellow slacks. The two later walked to a putting green for some practice shots.

Wearing his favorite sport jacket -- a blue and black checkered one -- Mr. Nixon briefly played the piano while his guests gathered around and sang, "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" and "Home on the Range."