I think Biden really boxed himself in with the demographic requirements he put on the VP pick. Especially with his age and mental condition, people are almost expecting the VP to become president if Biden wins. His selection will get much more scrutiny than the typical VP pick.
It reminds me a bit of when Reagan ran in 1980. At the time he was the oldest presidential candidate selected by a major party. And he selected the primary opponent who came in second. Following that pattern, Sanders would be the choice, but that was ruled out early on.
You are probably right and make good points (i.e rational thinking). The Anarchocrats are backed into the wall and facing “the tyranny of the urgent”. That’s when bad decisions are made. Rice is deepstate and deeply connect to the Obama machine (who IMHO are pulling Biden’s strings).