Des Moines Register, partners cancel release of Iowa Poll over respondent concerns  —  The Des Moines Register, CNN and Selzer & Co. have made the decision to not release the final installment of the CNN/Des Moines Register/Mediacom poll as planned this evening.

Sanders and Steyer closing gap on Biden as SC 2020 presidential primary nears  —  COLUMBIA — Joe Biden's hold atop South Carolina Democratic presidential primary polls has never wavered over nearly a year.  —  But the former vice president's lead continues to slide with the South's first primary just under a month away.

Trump's Ugly Media Obsessions: ‘Fat’ Meghan McCain, ‘Bitch’ Katy Tur & More  —  EXCERPT  —  In this selection from their new book, “Sinking in the Swamp,” Daily Beast reporters Lachlan Markay and Asawin Suebsaeng lay bare Trump's petty, relentless rants about the media.

NBC/WSJ poll: Country remains divided over Trump's impeachment trial  —  Majorities of Americans believe the president abused his power and obstructed Congress but split over whether it was enough to remove him.  —  WASHINGTON — Majorities of American voters believe that President Donald Trump abused …

‘A massive historical story’: Trump's impending acquittal could have profound ramifications for future presidents  —  The evidence of President Trump's actions to pressure Ukraine was never in serious dispute.  After a systematic presentation of the facts of the case, even some Senate Republicans concluded that what he did was wrong.

Billings legislator insists Constitution says it's OK to shoot socialists  —  HELENA — A Billings Republican legislator said Saturday he believes the U.S. Constitution calls for the shooting or jailing of those who identify as socialists.  —  State Rep. Rodney Garcia …

Alexander: Even If It Weren't An Election Year, I'd ‘Probably’ Still Vote Against Witnesses  —  Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) insists that even if the Senate impeachment trial wasn't happening during an election year, he would still vote against additional witnesses or document subpoenas.

Being Gay on the Campaign Trail With Pete Buttigieg  —  November 8—Eighty-eight days before the Iowa caucuses.  A bitterly cold day was languishing its way toward sunset in New Hampshire.  It was so cold that the Pete Buttigieg campaign passed out hand warmers at a barn party in Stratham that afternoon.

As New Coronavirus Spread, China's Old Habits Delayed Fight  —  At critical turning points, Chinese authorities put secrecy and order ahead of openly confronting the growing crisis and risking public alarm or political embarrassment.  —  WUHAN, China — A mysterious illness had stricken seven patients …

A U.S. Plane Crashed in Afghanistan.  Why So Many Believed a CIA Chief Was On It.  —  The wreckage of a U.S. military plane that crashed and burned in a snowy mountainous region in Afghanistan on Monday was still fresh when Iranian state TV ran a story claiming a top CIA officer was among the dead.

NOAA emails reveal internal alarm over Trump's claims about Hurricane Dorian  —  Senior National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officials privately slammed an unsigned NOAA statement contradicting forecasters and backing President Trump's claims that Hurricane Dorian was threatening Alabama …

Trump, Unrepentant and Unleashed  —  The diabolical duo of Donald and Mitch, serving their own interests, not the national one.  —  WASHINGTON — During a meeting with Donald Trump at Trump Tower in June of 2016, with the opéra bouffe builder improbably heading toward the nomination despite …

Raytheon engineer arrested for taking US missile defense secrets to China  —  Because China  —  Even small changes in China have global effects.  —  When Wei Sun, a 48-year-old engineer at Raytheon Missile Systems, left for an overseas trip last year, he told the company he planned to bring …

John le Carré on Brexit: 'It's breaking my heart'  —  This week the novelist received the Olof Palme prize for achievement in the spirit of the assassinated Swedish statesman.  He reflects on how a lack of leadership today has allowed us to ‘sleepwalk’ into Brexit

Ernst says Trump's focus on Bidens in Ukraine could influence Iowa caucuses  —  Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) said on CNN's “State of the Union” Sunday that President Trump's Senate impeachment trial has helped bring to light information about Joe and Hunter Biden's activities in Ukraine …

The Worst Day for Democracy Since the Civil War  —  The Republican party is escalating its war on democracy as it aims to rule America, or ruin it.  —  BEAST INSIDE  —  Jan. 31, 2020, was the worst day for democracy in America since April 12, 1861, when South Carolina forces opened fire on Fort Sumter.