New Poll Shows Close Senate Race

Chicago - Illinois treasurer Alexi Giannoulias has taken a slight lead in the U.S. Senate race, according to a new poll.

His change in fortune comes despite weeks of questions about his role in a failing family bank, the Broadway Bank.

Giannoulias has been on the defensive for weeks, explaining his role in the family bank that appears headed for insolvency, and trying to neutralize attacks by Mark Kirk, his Republican rival for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama.

But Kirk has lost ground, while Giannoulias has gained.

"If you have a candidate like Alexi beaten up over time and still with a four-point lead," said Chicago Tribune columnist John Kass, "then Mark Kirk has to worry about it."

The Rasmussen poll asked: "How important is Giannoulias' involvement in the Broadway Bank?” Fifty-six percent of those polled said it was "very" or "somewhat important." Yet those same voters are giving Giannoulias a 3 percent lead over Kirk.

"In a week where we were supported by not only by Mayor Daley, Dick Durbin, President Obama in White House endorsed us yesterday," said Giannoulias spokesperson Kathleen Strand. "Things are going very very well."

The Broadway Bank was founded by Giannoulias' father 30 years ago, but has recently fallen on hard times.

In a statement Kirk chastised his opponent for "a record of poor judgment, reckless behavior and mismanagement of public funds."

Giannoulias said he thinks he's done enough explaining, and says the only opinions that matter belong to the voters. They won't get their say for another eight months, and that leaves plenty of room for attack ads, and counterattack ads.