Indexed vs. Active Bond Fund

I have most of my short-term bond money in the VG Short-Term Bond Index fund.* However, I notice that most recommendations for bond funds are not indexed funds.*

The VG Short-Term Invest-Gr fund has almost the same 10 yr Growth of 10,000 characteristics as the indexed fund.* The expense ratio is only slightly higher.

Is the argument for indexed funds less strong for bond funds than for equity funds?