Monday Must-Reads: Poll-erized

As polls continue to show a deep divide in approval between Democrats and Republicans, the idea that Obama is the most polarizing president in recent memory was advanced over the weekend, most prominently by Karl Rove. Of course, there are many other ways to interpret the polls, and Mark Blumenthal keeps track of various responses. A look at critics of Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell—who enjoys high approval ratings by both parties—argues, meanwhile, that universally high approval ratings might merely reveal a timid, inactive leader. Chris Cillizza offers his breakdown of the cycle’s most interesting primaries. In the earliest of those, the Virginia gubernatorial, Brian Moran finally offers Democrats a candidate who is pulling even in polls with Republican Bob McDonnell. In another upcoming race, New York Mayor Bloomberg will this time run as a Republican. Besides primaries, issue ads continue to bring big work to consultants. Some analysts are predicting $1 billion will be spent on issue ads by the end of the year. Finally, as the Minnesota recount heads for the state supreme court, take a look at the justices who will be weighing the decision, courtesy of the Senate Guru. One, it turns out, was a Coleman donor.