That’s not what he meant. You don’t need to be a tenured politician, but you need some, at least ANY civil service expertise and experience.

Imagine if you “elected” a doctor who never went to medical school, or a solider who never went to training, or a lawyer who never went to college.

They would all be fired on their first day, if they didn’t kill someone first.

Also a general election will not weed out woeful applicants. Charisma, and an experienced team will get you very far.

Potential choices should be heavily vetted and thoroughly trained.