Mike Pence in CBS "Face the Nation" interviews during 2017

On Foreign Policy: America represent the highest ideals of humankind

PENCE: That quote was a commitment to explore the possibility of starting anew and looking for common cause with Russia and with President Putin.

Q: Doesn't that put the US on moral par with Putin's Russia?

PENCE: I simply don't accept that there was any moral equivalency in the president's comments.

Q: President Obama was criticized consistently by conservatives for not praising American exceptionalism.

PENCE: We recognize the extraordinary superiority of the ideals of the American people and the implementation of those ideals.

Q: Do you think America is morally superior to Russia?

PENCE: I believe that the ideals that America has stood for throughout our history represent the highest ideals of humankind.

Q: But America morally superior to Russia, yes or no?

PENCE: I think it is without question.

On Immigration: Muslim-country ban has solid constitutional foundation

PENCE: It is not time to start over at all. During the course of the campaign and since the outset of this administration, President Trump has made it clear he is going to use his authority as president under the law to put the safety and security of the American people first, especially when it comes to protecting this country from the threat that radical Islamic terrorism poses. The executive order is on a solid constitutional and statutory foundation. One court in Boston confirmed that. Another court in Washington came to a different decision. But we are very confident that, as we move through the process of these appeals, that the president's authority in this area will be upheld. In this case, the president used a list the Obama administration and the Congress identified of seven countries compromised by terrorism. It is within his authority to do it.

On Foreign Policy: Re-engage the world but put America first

PENCE: The president-elect is willing to approach this terrible relationship the United States has with Russia today with fresh eyes and to at least be open to a better relationship with Vladimir Putin and with Russia. Look, we have some common interests that would be well served if we were able to improve our relationship with Russia. The president-elect is determined to re-engage the world, put America first, and see if we can make progress for the security and peace of the world.

Q: Does Donald Trump demand that Russia get out of eastern Ukraine?

PENCE: Whether it be eastern Ukraine or Crimea, that the action by the Russians has demonstrated the absence of American leadership over the last eight years--

Q: What does the new leadership want to do?

PENCE: I think America is going to be more respected in the world the very moment that Donald Trump takes the oath of office as the 45th president of the United States.