The mail bomb scare has ushered in a dark new era of politics in Washington, where the sky-high levels of vitriol and anger seem to reach new heights every day. For months, lawmakers have worried aloud that their increasingly heated rhetoric could lead to political violence. They've debated the extent to which it's reasonable for protesters to confront their colleagues in public. But any hope that a direct threat of political violence ahead of the midterm elections might result in a brief moment of unity has vanished amid an explosion of bitter recriminations and finger-pointing between the White House, Democrats and the media over who is to blame for the toxic and increasingly dangerous political culture. The Hill: Unity fizzles as president, lawmakers and media point fingers. AP-NORC Poll: Most Americans see a sharply divided nation. President Trump prides himself on being a fighter, not a uniter, and the furious debate about who is to blame for suspicious devices sent to top Democrats and CNN has unfolded according to his playbook. After an initial call for unity, the president and his White House took aim at the media, alleging that the press are responsible for biased coverage against the administration that has set a toxic tone in the nation's capital and beyond. Trump tweeted this morning … at 3:14 a.m.: 
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"You chose to attack and divide." – White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders responding to CNN President Jeff Zucker, who accused the president of fomenting anger that led to the attempted violence. Democrats and many in the press reacted with fury, noting that Trump's blaming of the media came on the same day that CNN's headquarters had to be evacuated after it received one of the suspicious devices. 
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"The ultimate guilt lies with the bomber. But there is a sickness in our politics that goes beyond this string of attacks. President Trump has encouraged, excused, and alluded to violence repeatedly, including against the specific people targeted this week. Trump's refusal to take responsibility or stop the use of violent rhetoric is inexcusable and dangerous." - Rep. Val Demings (D-Fla.) Mainstream media outlets held right-wing talkers responsible for planting seeds of violence. Conservative outlets fumed at what they described as a blackout when it comes to covering left-wing violence. And on and on it goes. Fortunately, no one has been injured by the package bombs. And by the way, no major campaigns we're aware of went on hiatus during the hubbub. Trump returns to the trail tonight in Charlotte, N.C. Former President Obama, the intended recipient of one of the devices, is back on the stump today in Wisconsin. The race to the midterms hit another gear, one with a brittle edge. Perspectives Jill Abramson: Trump's rhetoric has stoked this violent time. Steve Scalise: Violence and terror have no place in American politics. Dana Milbank: Stop the mob, Mr. President. Andrew McCarthy: The pipe-bombs story reveals why no one trusts the media. John Nichols: The 2018 midterms have exposed a democracy in crisis. Douglas Schoen: Political leaders must tone down their rhetoric before it's too late. 
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*** CAMPAIGNS & POLITICS: Trump and Vice President Pence will spend most of their time on the campaign trail between now and Nov. 6, as they try to save GOP's House majority and build on the Republican majority in the Senate. The president today is visiting North Carolina's 9th Congressional District, where Pastor Mark Harris (R), who upset Rep. Robert Pittenger (R) in a primary earlier this year, is trying to stave off Marine Corps veteran and businessman Dan McCready (D). Democrats see the district as a prime pickup opportunity. McCready has outraised Harris and the Cook Political Report has the race rated as a "tossup." Trump won the district by 11 points in 2016. The Charlotte Observer: Why big names keep coming to Charlotte. On Saturday, Trump is off to Murphysboro, Ill., to stump for Rep. Mike Bost (R) in a district the president won by 14 points last cycle. Bost is getting a stiff challenge from Democrat Brendan Kelly in a race that has attracted millions of dollars in outside spending (The Chicago Tribune). Obama will spend the day in Wisconsin, where he'll work to boost Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D), who appears to be in control of her race against Republican Leah Vukmir. Vice President Pence, meanwhile, will touch down in three states today. He'll start in Roswell, N.M., for Rep. Steve Pearce (R), who is running for governor against Democrat Michelle Lujan Grisham. From there, Pence is across the border to Yuma, Ariz., on behalf of Rep. Martha McSally (R), who appears to be gaining momentum in the Senate race against Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (D). The vice president will close out the day in Las Vegas, Nev., the sight of another Senate race where Democrats are eyeing a pickup. Polls find Sen. Dean Heller (R) running neck and neck with Rep. Jacky Rosen (D). A recent poll shows Heller up 6 points following a fiery debate with Rosen (The Hill). Perspectives and Analysis David Winston: Strong economic numbers are giving Republicans a late boost. Gail Collins: Things are getting worse under Trump. Bill Scher: The 15 races that will determine how Democrats approach 2020. Morton Kondracke: Reform movement picks up steam ahead of midterms. More on campaigns and politics … Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) has referred Democratic attorney Michael Avenatti for criminal investigation, alleging he and his client Julie Swetnick made false claims of sexual assault against Justice Brett Kavanaugh (The Hill) … The Democratic National Committee has begun discussing internally how to handle the 2020 primary debates (The Hill) … Missouri Senate debate centers around civility (The Hill) … Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) is hauling in huge amounts of small-dollar donations this month even as polls show her trailing Rep. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) (The Hill). | 
