system
A chat on subreddit /r/NoStupidQuestions
human
You can thank the old system of having your Vice President be on the opposite end of the political spectrum for that. Back in the old days the Vp was whoever lost. It slowly transitioned to a more “moderate” version of the president to appease some people who don’t quote like your whole
Platform. Johnson was a southern sympathizer and the moment Lincoln died did everything he could to sabotage reconstruction. I’m sure grant did his best after Johnson left but not much could be done
gpt
&gt;Back in the old days the Vp was whoever lost.

This system was changed after the third presidential election where Jefferson accidentally became Adams' vice president. Lincoln had Johnson as his running mate by choice because it was meant to be a pro-Union unity ticket.

To be more specific the old system was that each person voting in the Electoral College had two votes for president, and whoever got the second-most votes became vice president. This was changed by the 12th Amendment so that now each person voting casts two votes, one of which is specifically for president and one of which is specifically for vice president.