My recollection is that the reason that Reagan chose Bush 1 for VP was because he wanted a milquetoasty running mate on the ticket to help bring in a few moderate lefty votes. If Reagan knew that he was unleashing a long line of milquetoasty Bushes on future generations he would have made a better selection more in keeping with his instincts.
If memory serves, Reagan and Ford had some discussions, but, it was reported, Ford overreached.