I know he's highly intelligent and seems to definitely be a MAGA supporter. However, he's very...VERY low energy. The opposite of Vance as you said...with fire in his belly.
In saner, safer times in the country, and the world for that matter...if just about everything weren't on the verge of destruction, he'd have been a great choice.
Besides, during vetting, Carson may have told Trump he's not interested in the VP position. He just doesn't seem like a very political person. Perhaps we'll see him in a cabinet position.
Carson is the one Trump needed. Vance is a 30 + year-old kid. Frankly, I think Trump made a terrible mistake. The last thing
America needs is another foreigner. How is it so difficult to date an American lady in college and really care? I think these guys want easy pickings. Sick.
There’s the agenda after Trump, too. Dr. Carson would just be too old, I’m afraid (which may well contribute to “low energy” - dang, I’m certainly not as energetic as I once was!), even though at present Ben certainly still seems to have all his marbles.
IMO, if Trump was really worried about winning the election, he might pick Carson. If Trump is feeling confident about the election, but worried about carrying MAGA forward in the future, someone like Vance may be a better pick, IF Vance stays with it. MAGA and populism are not exactly the same thing...