Article snippet: The TAKE with RICK KLEIN The “very stable genius” who happens to be president is digging in for a long 2018 by waging some familiar fights. President weekend tweets, but in so doing is pushing his opponents to go further than the public would prefer. Trump is also egging on the media in a new and eye-catching fashion. The White House dispatched a policy aide to spar with a Sunday host over “fake news” – and the president himself tweeted about victory for his side. Next Wednesday will (presumably) bring the “Fake News Awards,” a presidential creation designed to push media buttons in ways he knows well. The president is fond of calling himself a counter-puncher. But it’s worth remembering that he only fights, or fights back, when he’s confident he can win. The RUNDOWN with MARYALICE PARKS The outline of a so-called "wall" is starting to come into focus. And by most accounts, it looks more like a fence. A memo from the Department of $18 billion for increased barriers, including nearly double the amount of fencing along the border, from 654 miles currently to around 1,000 in total, and another approximately $15 billion for other, more traditional border security. While that dollar figure is high, and is likely being treated as an opening bid, the concept and compromise isn't hard to imagine. Democrats, who have vowed to fight for protections for Dreamers could get to claim a win. After all, they'd say, the president didn't get an actually bona fi... Link to the full article to read more