Political caucus right after assassination

[Jim Garrett]

Johnson was not nearly as good a politician as Lincoln. Nor, was he as diplomatic. He was also from a southern state (Tennessee) and a former slave-owner; things that did not endear him much to the Radical Republicans. His decision to fire Secretary of War Stanton didn't help him much either.

Roger, you are correct. At best, Andy was an outsider. Lincoln was an almost impossible act to follow. He did not have the political clout nor the patience needed to have a successful 2nd act.