 Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk called Democrat Alexi Giannoulias
"immature" for not giving a clear explanation of whether he would
have voted for the financial industry bailout if he'd been a senator
in 2008.Giannoulias, the state treasurer, shot back that Kirk has
often flip-flopped and changed positions. He said being lectured by
Kirk on decisiveness was "the most remarkable irony in the history
of Illinois politics."
Pressed on his strong support for the invasion of Iraq, Kirk
claimed the Bush administration had lied to him about evidence that
Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction. The
five-term congressman said a Central Intelligence Agency official
"absolutely" lied.
Each candidate attempted to defend himself on a key issue that
has haunted them.
For Kirk, it was the fact that he exaggerated his accomplishments
as intelligence officer in the Navy Reserve, even claiming an award
that went to his unit, not to him personally.
Kirk repeated his apologies for the false statements, saying he
had been careless. Debate moderator Phil Ponce pushed Kirk to
explain why he ever felt the need to exaggerate his record, but Kirk
didn't answer.
Instead, he sought to go on the offensive by criticizing
Giannoulias for making a political issue of the false statements.
"My opponent has based nearly all of his campaign on a military
record -- my military record. He hasn't served a day in uniform in
his life," said Kirk, a commander with 21 years in the Reserves. "I
very much believe in this country."
Giannoulias ducked a question about his own political millstone
-- the fact that his family's Broadway Bank lent money to at least
two men involved in organized crime. Giannoulias said the bank
didn't do anything illegal or improper, but he would not explain
just what he and other bank executives knew about the men's criminal
history before deciding to approve the loans.
He, too, tried to turn the tables. Giannoulias read a list of
criminals who have donated money to Kirk's campaign over the years.
"If we want to play these guilt-by-association attacks, let's do
it," he said.
Kirk responded that he had returned the donations from the people
Giannoulias listed.
The two met on WTTW-TV's "Chicago Tonight" program. Green Party
candidate LeAlan Jones and Libertarian Mike Labno were not invited
to take part in the debate.
Kirk accused Giannoulias of encouraging class warfare by not
supporting an extension of tax cuts for the wealthy. Giannoulias
rejected that, saying he opposes the tax cuts because they would add
to a huge deficit that ballooned when Kirk and other Republicans
controlled Washington.
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Giannoulias said Kirk has voted against legislation to make
college more affordable, to help women get equal pay for equal work,
to crack down on runaway corporate salaries.
"He has an indefensible record in Congress," Giannoulias said.
Kirk responded that Giannoulias has practically no record.
He noted the 34-year-old's position as treasurer is his first
government job. He also said Giannoulias hasn't done that job well,
noting part of the Bright Start college savings program lost about
$150 million on Giannoulias' watch.
During a discussion of the federal Troubled Asset Relief Program,
Giannoulias said he would have pushed for changes in the bailout
legislation if he had been in Congress at the time. Kirk said he was
trying to have it both ways.
"This is the sort of immaturity of my opponent," Kirk said. "In
the end, a member of Congress is presented with a yes-or-no vote on
an always-imperfect package. ... In the end, you have to cast a
tough vote."
Giannoulias responded, "If congressman Kirk is accusing me of
flip-flopping, that would be the most remarkable irony in the
history of Illinois politics."
When asked about his past claim that he knew with "moral
certitude" that Saddam had weapons of mass destruction, Kirk said he
based that on a briefing in the White House situation room. Kirk
said he was shown various pieces of evidence, such as tubes that
supposedly could only be used to refine uranium, and was told they
proved the existence of the weapons.
After the debate, Kirk would not provide details or explain why
this seems to contradict a past explanation of the "moral certitude"
comment. Previously, he had said he made that statement because
Iraqi documents did not account for all of Saddam's old chemical
weapons.
Pressed by the moderator, Giannoulias and Kirk did find a few
kind words for each other.
Kirk said he appreciated Giannoulias calling to offer condolences
when his stepfather died. Giannoulias called Kirk a hard worker and
someone who cares.
Giannoulias repeatedly criticized the negative race and said he
would run only positive ads for the rest of the campaign -- less
than a week.
[Associated Press;
By CHRISTOPHER WILLS] Associated Press
writer Karen Hawkins contributed to this report.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This
material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.
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