Article snippet: The TAKE with Rick Klein Former President Barack Obama over the weekend called it a “push and pull” – a contrast “between those who promote the politics of hope and those who exploit the politics of fear.” The stage is set for two presidents to do battle over the next eight weeks, with the GOP’s hopes and fears wrapped up in the sway and conduct of President Donald Trump. Republicans hope that concerns about Trump’s fitness for office and penchant for drama won’t subsume their messaging. They fear that there’s little to nothing that can be done about that. They hope that the walls of Robert Mueller’s investigation don’t squeeze the president to the point of further lashing out – or worse. They fear that wrinkles like those added by George Papadopoulos are inevitable. As for Obama, his voice gets elevated as the primary season winds to a close. Democrats recall what the politics of hope can bring, but fear the memories of when it has fallen short. The RUNDOWN with MaryAlice Parks The anonymous op-ed, let alone perhaps from outing the culprit. By focusing the attention on who exactly penned that anonymous op-ed in the New York Times, the White House can try to paint a picture of a villain, a singular bad guy. In fact, if you stop to re-examine the content of the op-ed — written by a senior administration official who accuses the president of amorality and claims people within the administration are in essence saving the country from the presid... Link to the full article to read more