So no In the race to fill Obamas Senate seat, Giannoulias focuses on the promise for working Americans

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by Lisette Livingston and Shanita Bigelow

This November, Illinois voters will choose the next U.S. Senator to fill President Barack Obamas former seat. This pivotal race, along with others across the country, could determine the trajectory of the nation. This is a race thats bigger than me, bigger than [Obama]. This race is about the United States, said the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senator from Illinois Alexi Giannoulias at Izolas Restaurant. Surrounded by images of some of the city and states most legendary public officials including Harold Washington and Emil Jones, Jr., Giannoulias spoke of the gravity of this election. Discussing the importance of continuing to move forward in the face of the nations most persistent challenges, he said, tragically, the promise of America is under assault as the poor are getting poorer, the middle class is dissipating and the rich are getting richer. Seeing and speaking with so many people who lack jobs, are losing their homes or businesses is -- he said, on a personal level, deeply troubling to me.

Its about 8:45 a.m. and Alexi Giannoulias, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senator from Illinois takes his seat at Izolas, an historic eatery on Chicagos South side in Chatham.

Cool and jovial, he sips Lipton Tea, wearing an American flag on his lapel, and starts off by discussing why hes in the race and what distinguishes him from his opponent, Mark Kirk.

With most of the news behind him regarding the publicity generated by his familys business at Broadway Bank and two points ahead in the polls, Giannoulias profile also includes someone who comes out of a community banking background where he points out loans were made to ordinary men and women looking to fulfill the American Dream.

Times were tough before the recession, said Giannoulias, who along with other Democrats, stresses the seriousness of this race not only for the maintenance of congressional control, but to propel the country towards better healthcare, educational systems as well as a more robust economy.

Last week, President Obama traveled to Chicago to, among other things, celebrate his birthday, tour the Ford factory, and garner support for Giannoulias campaign. The two go way back, both in terms of being political allies, friends and basketball buddies. Obama raised $1 million for him less than a week ago.

Alexi is my friend. I know his character. I know how much he loves this country. I know how committed he is to public service. I know he is in this race for the right reasons. I know he has been a great advocate on behalf of the people of Illinois, Obama said Thursday evening at the Chicago Culture Center.

Giannoulias will face Republican candidate, U.S. Representative Mark Kirk (IL-10th), whos now in his fifth congressional term and Green Party candidate LeAlan Jones in the general election in November 2010. Giannoulias, a native of Chicago, leads Kirk, who represents Chicagos northern suburbs, in the polls with support from 43 percent of Illinois voters. Kirk has the support of 41 percent of the voters, Rasmussen reports.

With such a strong congressional division along party lines and the constant stream of voices from the far right, like Sarah Palin and members of the Tea Party, Giannoulias says hes concerned. Some of the rhetoric out there is just an attempt to change the subject, he adds. Its offensive to me, he remarks, pointing out the stark differences between him and Kirk on issues like education, healthcare and tax cuts, which as opposed to Giannoulias, Kirk wants to extend for the wealthy. The recent extension of unemployment benefits is another area where they differ which wouldnt have passed if Kirk (who voted against it in the House) was in the Senate, he says.

Despite the Obama administrations work over the past year and a half, theres still much to do and Giannoulias hopes to be a partner in that change.

Speaking on Giannoulias behalf at the Palmer House Hotel, Thursday afternoon, President

Obama said, [B]ecause the policies of the last decade landed us in such a deep hole, it takes time to dig ourselves outThere are a lot of people hurtingall across the country. But after 18 months, I can say unequivocally with confidence that our nation is finally headed in the right directionInstead of shrinking, our economy is growingInstead of losing jobs, were adding jobs. And the last thing we can afford right now is to go back to the very same special interest-laden policies that created this mess in the first place. And thats the choice in this election.

Giannoulias, who met, then Senator Obama while playing basketball said, I saw

the way he connectedinspired people [and] I thought if we could have more people who carewe can make this world a better placeIts a tremendous honor that he helped me get involved.

Giannoulias was elected State Treasurer in 2006, with a Bachelors degree in economics from Boston University, a year of professional basketball in Greece, a law degree from Tulane University and as experience as the former Vice President of his familys, now defunct, Broadway Bank.

While Obama spurred his political involvement, his parents, his family taught him to fight.

My parentshave always been my heroes. They went to church, played a role in their community, he said. His father opened the bank some 40 years ago because he saw a need, Giannoulias said. There were people from many different ethnicities that werent able to get loans anywhere else, he continued. My father worked seven days a week. He thought the only way to make your way in this world was to put hours in it he made his business his whole life, adding later, My father took pride in helping people achieve the American dreamA lot of people are dealing with challenges they couldnt have foreseenThat makes me want to fight harder, he said.

As State Treasurer, Giannoulias says hes been fighting for statewide economic

reform. From his continued support of the Smart Women, Smart Money conferences to Employ Illinois, which invests millions of dollars a year in low interest loans that aid business owners in starting or enhancing their enterprise, he points to these initiatives as examples of fulfilling Americas promise to people in Illinois.

One of his offices proudest achievements, he says, is Riverdales Whistler Crossing, a residential development in Riverdale, Illinois where the Treasurers Office secured a nearly $12 million low interest bridge loan, saving the development more than $500,000 in interest payments. Making promises is one thing, but having a track record, to prove it is another, he said. We can talk about economic growth all day long, he adds. But, unless people have access to capital, thats not going to happen, he continued stressing the importance of African American business owners having access to capital and a lineof credit.

But long before Giannoulias says he fought for economic reform in Illinois or landed his first political punch against Republican candidate State Senator Christine Radogno whom he defeated in 2006 with 54 percent of the vote, he adds he learned early on what fighting was all about.

My brothers instilled in me a sense of standing up for myself, he smiled, recalling the times he andhis brothers would box. They only had one pair of gloves and were more than willing to let their little brother use them. My punches didnt hurt as much as theirs, he laughed, but many lessons, were learned in that.

Now the gloves are off. Giannoulias, charismatic and candid, stands poised, ready for the next round in November. Hes encouraging people to get out to vote and to get engaged.

Many people are upset, disheartened, but thats when you need to go vote, he contends. Every vote is incredibly important. Obama needs a partner, someone to help fight to move this country forward, he said.

At 34--Giannoulias--the youngest State Treasurer in the nation at the time of his election says he wants to revitalize Americas promise by addressing issues like income inequality because we want to be sure everyone is moving up, he says.

My job is not to focus on the next election; its to focus on the next generation. Thats why I ran for office. Thats what I try to do every day. Thats why Alexi is running for the [U.S.] Senate. Thats what he will do every day when hes in the [U.S.] Senate. We need your help. And if youre willing to invest in our future, we are going to keep on moving forward for years and decades to come, the President concluded in his Palmer House speech last week.

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