It’s an interesting argument, although I think calling it unprecedented is a stretch. Bush II’s lack of first-term nominations is more of an anomaly.

Harrison II made a whopping 4 Supreme Court appointments, including one as a lame duck, and held office after Hayes (won the 1888 election). Adams II also made an appointment (the last member of the “lost the popular vote” club, although elected in House contingent election).

The “II” is a bit of a theme. I can’t blame anyone for expecting the next president to win the EC without the popular vote would be “Clinton II.”