[Traveler59]

That said, it is the case that (depending on exactly who is on your list), from sometime in the late nineteenth century until the latter part of the twentieth century, there was no individual who ascended to the presidency from (relative) obscurity, in an unanticipated fashion, without sufficient credentials.

The author doesn't know history. What about Pres. Gerald Ford? Never elected to an office in the Executive Branch of government, yet became our 38th president.

[mark_interrupted]

In the posters defense Ford wasn't elected. He was appointed after Nixon resigned. Not really analogous.