At 22, he started his first business, which failed.

He then ran for the state legislature, and lost. He started a second business, which also failed. Having nothing better to do, he decided to have a nervous breakdown, and did. He then ran for the state legislature again, and again lost.

Tired of being local, he ran for a seat in the House of Representatives. He lost. A few years later, he ran again and actually won. Two years later however, when he sought reelection, he was voted out.

So, what the hell, he ran for the U.S. Senate. And lost. He was then placed, somehow, on the ticket as Vice President.

He lost.

Two years later he became the 16th President of the United States. Abraham Lincoln, ladies and gentlemen. Proof you can never fuck up too much.