1. PREDATOR   animal preying on others   obscurity   former occupant of position   response showing the contrary   Hint Half-n-half Clue   2. REBUTTAL   agreement   one who views positively   response showing the contrary   stinginess   Half-n-half Clue   3. RANCOR   speaker   unsuspected danger   bitterness   former occupant of position   Half-n-half Clue   4. PROLIFERATION   religious devotion   one who views positively   rapid multiplication   tendency to view life negatively   Half-n-half Clue   5. PREDECESSOR   former occupant of position   preference   animal preying on others   nearness   Half-n-half Clue   6. OPPORTUNIST   loner   religious devotion   one who exploits for gain   one opposed to war   Half-n-half Clue   7. OPTIMIST   outcast   one who views positively   response showing the contrary   plenitude   Half-n-half Clue