Pence is pretty much a composite of the elder statesman stock character and he complements Trump well. There are times when I think Trump could stand to behave more like he does, particularly with their respective debate performances but overall Trump's bull in a china shop approach is what you need when dealing with lying journos in the media like this.
To liberals that yearn for the 'good old days' of Obama 'respect' from simping cosmopolitan euros is the only respect that matters.
The thing is, what Pence and Trump have going is actually immensely effective. Its happened throughout Trump's Presidency enough to be clearly a deliberate, but highly effective tactic.
Trump: Goes in like a wrecking ball, throws shit, attacks opposition, demoralizes and fragments them.
Pence: Right after, comes in to smooth the feathers of their allies while presenting the 'lesser' option to 'mollify' Trump that is rejected.
Trump: Continues, threatens to pull out entirely.
Pence: Backs up Trump on pulling out, makes a show of deeply regretting have to but Trump is his boss.
Trump: Implies he is willing to 'concede' to a compromise.
Pence: Offers the same deal he originally did, is accepted because working with Pence is nicer than dealing with the screaming orange ape.
Trump & Pence: Smile at having gotten what they were after all along.
Its the unholy combination of The Big Ask, Good Cop/Bad Cop, and Pence looking like a roman emperor in terms of visual decorum and appearance. And they use it a -lot-. Constantly with foreign diplomacy, Pence was working with the Koreans no less than six times visibly, a lot with the European union, has been spotted working with congress for the trade deals and tax cuts. ANY big policy or menuever had this exact dynamic playing.