I think the burden of proof is more the other way around, as in, someone needs to prove that there was a line of people chomping at the bit to get the VP spot. I don’t even think right-leaning media made those kinds of claims at the time.

I didn’t really see the Jon Husteds and Ron DeSantises of the world making appeals to become VP, even though being a VP for the oldest president-elect of all time in their second term gives you a solid coin flip of becoming president in 4 years or less.