Today's debate presented a clear choice for Illinois voters between a dishonest D.C. politician who refuses to stand by his Republican voting record and a leader who has stood up for Illinois families and small businesses. Below are 10 quotes from today's debate, representing 10 reasons why Alexi deserves your vote:

"Meet the Press" host David Gregory caught Congressman Kirk in a fiscal lie, grilling him on his honesty and veracity when it comes to wanting to extend the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy.

In today's debate on Meet the Press, Alexi deconstructed Mark Kirk's lie about being a "fiscal hawk."

David Gregory: The question, Mr. Giannoulias, is should tax cuts be paid for?

Alexi Giannoulias: This is why this race is so important. This is a fundamental public policy difference between myself and Congressman Kirk. He says he's a fiscal hawk.

The Congressman has told some real whoppers during this campaign but that may be the be biggest one of all.

Mark Kirk doesn't just lie about his own record, he lies about Alexi's -- and now, independent groups are calling him out on it.  Both Mark Kirk and Karl Rove have aired false ads against Alexi focused on the state's college savings program, Bright Start. FactCheck.org and Political Correction have all slammed the attack, calling it a "drive by hit" and "misleading."

Today, we're excited to release our newest ad holding Mark Kirk accountable for his record of siding against middle class families and telling voters the truth about Bright Start.

As Karl Rove's shady political organization prepares to unleash $1 million worth of negative attack ads on behalf of Congressman Mark Kirk in Illinois this week, an independent, non-partisan watchdog group has called his claims false.

CHICAGO - While Congressman Mark Kirk hits the campaign trail and airwaves claiming he will "tax less, borrow less and spend less," Illinois voters know that he has actually spent more, borrowed more and lies more about his failed economic record. 

After two decades in Washington DC supporting all of the Bush economic policies that sunk our economy into recession, Congressman Mark Kirk today released another ad that lies about his fiscal record.

In his new television ad, Congressman Mark Kirk doesn't just embellish his record, he outright lies about it as his campaign continues to distract voters from the truth.

"Mark Kirk claims he's a deficit hawk but he is really just feathering the nests of the wealthy by cutting taxes for the super rich while the middle class bears the burden," said Alexi for Illinois spokesman Scott Burnham. "As a stool pigeon for special interests, Kirk is more like a goose who's laid a golden egg."

Today, the Chicago Tribune released the candidates' responses to key policy questions posed by the editorial board. Over the next several weeks, we will highlight the stark differences between Congressman Mark Kirk and Alexi on these policy issues. Today's topic: Energy.

"Fact" (Ad) : video

In this television ad, voters learn about Congressman Kirk's abysmal voting record against the middle class and about Alexi's history of standing up for Illinois workers.