During their first interview together as running mates, Donald Trump and Gov. Mike Pence faced tough questions about Pence’s vote, as a former congressman, to authorize the Iraq war.
“He’s entitled to make a mistake every once in a while,” Trump said during an appearance on “60 Minutes” alongside Pence.
CBS News’ Lesley Stahl reminded Trump that he has repeatedly attacked Hillary Clinton for her vote, as a former senator, in favor of the war, and asked Trump if Clinton was “entitled to make a mistake” the same way Pence was.
“No, she’s not,” Trump said.
The presumptive Republican nominee touted his relationship with Pence and the economic record his new running mate has achieved in Indiana.
“I think we have a great chemistry,” Trump said.
Stahl pressed Trump on Pence’s past statements condemning negative campaigning, which has become a feature of Trump’s presidential bid. He has repeatedly labeled Clinton “Crooked Hillary” and taunted her for her record as secretary of state.
Trump said Pence would likely avoid calling the presumptive Democratic nominee “Crooked Hillary” because doing so would not seem natural.
“To him, I don’t think it would sound right, but he will say how dishonest she is by going over the facts,” Trump said.
Trump also faced questions about Pence’s past criticism of his plan to prevent some Muslims from entering the country as “unconstitutional.”
“You know — the Constitution — there’s nothing like it,” Trump said. “But it doesn’t necessarily give us the right to commit suicide, as a country, okay?”
