Good post.
It’s always a question of what the VP brings. First question is “can they bring a state’s electoral votes.”
Lately, that’s been not the case. I think LBJ and Texas was the last real use of that strategy.
Much more, lately, the VP pick has been to unite the party; to bring in those factions that were at war with the nominee. E.g.: Reagan/Bush; Romney/Ryan, Gore/Lieberman, McCain/Palin.
I think this may be another one of those situations.
Bush was pushed on Reagan , just as LB J was pushed on JFK. The GOP isn’t “strong” enough to do that to Trump.