I want the opposite of your battle tested. Sounds like you thought Dole was a good choice
How do you equate Bob Dole with the phrase, "battle tested"?
Granted, Bob Dole was a senior Senator with a whole lot of tenure, but first of all, he was a legislator - NOT an EXECUTIVE.
Choosing our candidates because we like the way they think, or because they've been on Capitol Hill since Iwo Jima, is plain nuts.
The presidency is a JOB, and it has certain DUTIES and functions, just like any other job. The requisite qualifications not only include right thinking and knowledge of how Capitol Hill works, but it also requires that one be up to the task of being the Chief Executive of the largest, most powerful, most important organization on the planet.
One only gains the experience to be a boss, by being a boss. It starts at the bottom. Think 'lead man'. It goes from there, to foreman. Up another rung, and you're the section chief. Another step, and you're the Division Chief. Step once more, and you're now VP of Operations. One more step just might land you at CEO, if you're good enough.
That's the sort of progression one ought to have, to take on the most important executive position on the planet.
The road to that job doesn't lead through Congress. At least, it shouldn't. Legislators make lousy presidents. Name me one, who you can honestly say was a great president, and an effective leader of our government. I can't do it.