According to Politico, it’ll be a close race between a liar and a thief.

On the one hand, Giannoulias’ family bank collapsed earlier this year, despite his current role as State Treasurer. Also, apparently the bank made loans to certain crime figures—the issue is not even one of “did it happen?” but rather “when did Giannoulias know about it?” and “will he ever acknowledge it?”

Alex Giannoulias (D) (the thief)

On the other hand, Mark Kirk’s campaign ethics are questionable. Although he knows not to resort to anti-Giannoulias hate commercials (it’s surprising how some candidates still haven’t realized that stooping so low will actually hurt their own campaigns), Kirk has sent people to harass Giannoulias supporters at his press conferences. Moreover, Kirk has “greatly exaggerated his own military history, suggesting that he had more important jobs than he actually had in the Gulf War and the Pentagon. 

Mark Kirk (R) (the liar)

For me, it comes down to whether I think more promise of financial stability will trump poor political ethics. The financial issue is most immediate to our present situation, but then again this ongoing trend in petty partisanship is no way to run the country. “Elevated” mannerisms of Giannoulias or moderate Republicanism of Kirk?