He wasn't chosen because he was an independent he was chosen because everyone else was blown up.

I suppose he was there as secretary of state and didn't know it yet.

I suppose this was an unprecedented situation. It is not unheard of in other countries, and the formal duty of a previous leader to offer advise to the current one in times of crisis is widespread as well.

Of course, but he was giving from nothing up speech, the son of immigrants reaching high office has a particular stereotype attached that doesn't really apply if his father was a successful engineer.

Yes he did get probation, so he never actually went to prison. Apart from the first time obviously.