The stories that drive the day July 20th 2013

• Hoping to break an impasse," Pres. Obama in an event in Chattanooga, TN, on Tuesday "will extend a new offer" to cong. GOPers "in which he would back an overhaul of the corporate tax system in exchange for a guarantee that a resulting one-time windfall be used to underwrite various job creation proposals" (Wall Street Journal).
• The Senate on Monday confirmed FBI Dir.-designate James Comey on a 93-1 vote. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) voted no, and Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Jeff Merkley(D-OR) voted present (National Journal Daily).  
• In VA GOV, Citizens United "is spending" $305K "on a 30-second TV ad promoting" a film it made that is critical of ex-DNC Chair Terry McAuliffe (D). The RGA "is going up with its second TV ad of the race" on Tuesday, "hitting McAuliffe over the history of his car company and its ties to China" (Politico). A new ad from McAuliffe releasedon Monday "focuses on" AG Ken Cuccinelli's (R) "legal battle" with UVA climate scientist Michael Mann (Washington Post).
• A new Quinnipiac Univ. poll of NYC mayoral Dem primary LVs, conducted 7/24-28, shows City Council Speaker Christine Quinn leading Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, 27-21%, with '09 nominee Bill Thompson at 20%, ex-Rep. Anthony Weinerat 16%, Comp. John Liu at 6% and ex-Councilor Sal Albanese at 2%. In the previous poll, conducted 7/18-23, Weiner led Quinn, 26-22%, with Thompson at 20%, de Blasio at 15%, Liu at 7% and Albanese at 1% (release). Weiner continues to spurn calls for him to exit the race, including from de Blasio, who told MSNBC's "Morning Joe" on Tuesday: "The sideshow needs to end" (Hotline viewing).
• Ex-AR LG Bill Halter's (D) decision to drop out of the AR GOV race on Mondayclears the field for ex-Rep. Mike Ross (D), and now some nat'l and state Dems hope Halter will challenge Rep. Tim Griffin (R) in AR-02 (Hotline reporting).
• Newark Mayor Cory Booker (D) "has canceled plans for what would have been an eyebrow-raising speech" in Iowa City, IA, set for only "two weeks after" the NJ SEN Dem primary (Newark Star-Ledger). Booker launched his second Spanish-language TV ad on Monday (Newark Star-Ledger). Rep. Rush Holt (D) "has tapped journalistGlenn Greenwald for an online town hall meeting he is hosting Tuesday, his campaign announced Monday" (Washington Post).
• Despite a joint appearance in Nashville on Monday to tout charter schools, Paul "stopped short of endorsing" Sen. Lamar Alexander's (R-TN) reelection bid. Paul: "I'd rather not go there. I'd hate to be painted as 'Oh, I've come here and I'm not endorsing him' because I think that's the wrong message to send. I'm very supportive of Sen. Alexander, and I hope he doesn't get an opponent" (Nashville Tennessean).
• IL state Rep. Darlene Senger (R) officially launched her IL-11 campaign on Monday(Naperville Sun).
• "The drive to recall" San Diego Mayor Bob Filner (D) "began in earnest Monday as the beleaguered politician made a formal request for taxpayers to pick up the tab for his legal fees stemming from a sexual harassment lawsuit" (U-T San Diego).
• Paul "will be the featured attraction at a fundraiser at the Women's National Republican Club" in NYC on 8/13 (Politico).
• The FEC sent a letter to '10 PA SEN nominee Joe Sestak (D) telling him that he "has passed the threshold of exploring a run" for SEN in '16 and "must declare himself a candidate -- or disavow his bid" (PoliticsPA.com).