The two dance past their differences in their first interview together. | AP Photo Trump and Pence agree to disagree, more or less

The stark differences, both stylistically and on policy, between Donald Trump and his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, were on display in their first joint interview, broadcast on 60 Minutes on CBS on Sunday night. And Pence, in particular, demonstrated a willingness to massage past positions so that they better conform with Trump's.

On what was once a major difference — Trump’s plan to bar Muslims from entering the United States, which Pence condemned in December — Pence appeared to draw a stricter line than Trump, endorsing the plan which Trump has since inched away from.


Asked if he agreed with Trump’s call for “a temporary ban on Muslims entering the United States,” Pence responded: “I do,” according to a transcript of the interview.

CBS’s Lesley Stahl then read Pence’s December tweet, which called the proposal “offensive and unconstitutional.”

As happened throughout the interview, Trump, perhaps sensing his running mate’s discomfort, stepped in.

“So you call it territories. OK? We're going to do territories. We're going to not let people come in from Syria that nobody knows who they are,” Trump said. “The Constitution — there's nothing like it. But it doesn't necessarily give us the right to commit suicide, as a country, OK? And I'll tell you this: Call it whatever you want, change territories, but there are territories and terror states and terror nations that we're not going to allow the people to come into our country. And we're going to have a thing called 'extreme vetting.' And if people want to come in, there's going to be extreme vetting.”

Trump dominated the interview, speaking far more than his new running mate. Pence was quick to praise Trump, calling him “a good man” three times, and also referring to him as “one of the best negotiators in the world” and said that Trump "embodies American strength." And the magnanimity cut both ways.

Trump praised the performance of the Indiana economy under Pence and forgave Pence’s support for the war in Iraq, which he has repeatedly slammed presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton for.

“I don't care,” Trump said of Pence’s vote. “It's a long time ago. And he voted that way and they were also misled. A lot of information was given to people. ... He's entitled to make a mistake every once in awhile.”

But Clinton is not, Stahl asked.

“But she's not,” Trump said. “No. She’s not.”

Trump also stepped in when Stahl pressed Pence on his stance against negative campaigning, which he disavowed in a 1991 essay after losing a race for Congress.

“We're different people. I understand that,” Trump said, and added that he did not expect Pence to call Clinton “Crooked Hillary” as Trump does.

“I don't think he should do it because it's different for him,” Trump said. “He’s not that kind of a person.”

Pence said it is “obvious” that the two men have different styles, but that “our vision is exactly the same.”

When the Indiana governor dodged a question about whether he might push back against some of Trump’s rhetoric, Trump again stepped in.

“I'd like him to if he thinks I was doing something wrong,” Trump said.

Stahl asked, for example, if Pence agreed that Arizona Sen. John McCain was not a war hero because he was captured, as Trump argued.

“I have a great deal of respect for John McCain,” Pence began.

Again, Trump stepped in.

“You could say yes,” he said. “That’s OK.”

Pence went on to say he would have “no hesitation” to walk into the Oval Office and “share my heart” if he disagreed with Trump.

“And I also know this good man would listen,” he said.

On trade, which is potentially the biggest policy difference between the two men, they simply acted as if there were no difference at all. Pence, for example, supported NAFTA and has voiced support for the Trans Pacific Partnership, two of Trump’s favorite whipping boys.

“I support free trade, and so does Donald Trump,” Pence said.

Pence also appeared to endorse Trump’s support of waterboarding and “a hell of a lot more” on suspected terrorists.

“I don't think we should ever tell our enemy what our tactics are,” Pence said.

“I like that answer,” Trump replied.

Pence went on to add: “Enhanced interrogation saved lives.”

Trump praised Pence in the interview for helping to unify the party, and said conservatives who had previously seemed hesitant to support him were cheered by the choice. For many Republicans, the choice of Pence was cause for relief.

Trump also used the interview to put to rest the rumor that he might not actually serve if elected. He said his desire to help the country would drive him to serve.

“I do want to govern,” he said.