Support for Third U.S. Political Party at High Point  —  WASHINGTON, D.C. — Americans' desire for a third party has ticked up since last fall and now sits at a high in Gallup's trend.  Sixty-two percent of U.S. adults say the “parties do such a poor job representing the American people …

with an assist from Marina McNairy  —  🌨 Good morning from Salt Lake City.  We're expecting snow throughout the day, with a high of 37°.  —  🇺🇸 Today is President's Day, the day we celebrate George Washington's and Abraham Lincoln's birthday.

Postcard From Peru: Why the Morality Plays Inside The Times Won't Stop  —  Other news organizations have their own personnel dramas.  But none attract the spotlight the way The Times does.  —  In 2012, when The New York Times was panicked about its financial future, this newspaper went into the travel business.

The Strategic Silence of Mike Pence  —  Complicity, cowardice, or nihilism?  —  On January 6, a horde of pro-Trump rioters breached the United States Capitol with one bloodthirsty mission in mind: to stop Vice President Mike Pence from carrying out his constitutional obligation to certify Joe Biden's 2020 presidential victory.

The U.S.' vaccine rollout is world-beating  —  That doesn't mean it's good enough.  But let's take a moment to appreciate it.  —  4 hr ago  —  The U.S. vaccine rollout is not going fast enough.  Currently, about 1.7 million shots are being put into arms per day:

What Was the Wing?  To the extent that it's remembered, it will be as an artifact of the Trump era.  —  Photo-Illustration: by the Cut; Photo Getty Images  —  I remember, over New Year's in 2017, trying to explain to a friend's boyfriend what the Wing was.

Biden's special Obamacare enrollment period opens Monday.  Here's what you need to know  —  Biden: Health care orders undo the damage Trump has done  —  (CNN)Uninsured Americans who want to buy Affordable Care Act coverage have another three months to do so, thanks to an executive order President Joe Biden signed last month.

Anatomy of a conspiracy: With COVID, China took leading role  —  BRUSSELS (AP) — The rumors began almost as soon as the disease itself.  Claims that a foreign adversary had unleashed a bioweapon emerged at the fringes of Chinese social media the same day China first reported the outbreak of a mysterious virus.

The Taliban Close In on Afghan Cities, Pushing the Country to the Brink  —  The Taliban have positioned themselves around several major population centers, including the capital of Kandahar Province, as the Biden administration weighs whether to withdraw or to stay.

Democracy Is the Only Solution  —  If there was one idea shared by just about every author of the Constitution, it was the one articulated by James Madison at the convention on June 26, 1787.  —  The mass of the people would be susceptible to “fickleness and passion,” he warned.

Dems buzz about breakout stars of Trump's impeachment  —  The Democratic House members who prosecuted the case against former President Donald Trump last week say they've been laser-focused on his trial.  —  But as their speeches were being piped into Americans' homes 24-7 …

Why Is Michael Bennet Defying Joe Biden's Call for Non-Corporate Judges?  —  The Colorado senator has recommended a top corporate lawyer for a federal district court seat, after Biden specifically asked for public defenders and civil rights attorneys.  —  Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) …

Forget the Senate, charge Donald Trump with insurrection in criminal court  —  Opinion: The Founding Fathers presumed, foolishly, that the elected official who followed them would have the same set of morals.  But they made us a nation of laws.  All we need do it apply them.  —  View Comments

Another Impeachment Failure  —  On the menu today: You can tell it's a Monday already.  Impeachment ends with a whimper, not a bang, as the Senate is gift-wrapped a bombshell witness but bizarrely chooses to skip over her; CDC director Rochelle Walensky changes her recommendations …

Exclusive: GOP governor Kristi Noem, potential Trump successor, used state aircraft for tens of thousands of dollars in political travel  —  Newly unearthed flight logs show South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem used a state airplane to travel to right wing political events around the country …

Democrats Watching Israeli Election Hope for ‘Anyone but Bibi’  —  The Biden team will work closely with whoever wins next month's election, but one source close to the administration says Netanyahu has ‘personally undermined any goodwill about engaging with him’

Pennsylvania G.O.P.'s Push for More Power Over Judiciary Raises Alarms  —  After fighting the election results, state Republicans are trying to increase their control of the courts.  Outraged Democrats and good government groups see it as a new kind of gerrymandering.

How ‘American Idol’ Used Claudia Conway … Claudia Conway faces challenges that evoke real and powerful sympathy, and not just because of her tender age.  First, this 16-year-old emerged onto the national stage as someone seemingly desiring to make an impact but unable to escape her own famous name.