CHICAGO - Despite weeks of negative attacks from Washington insider Mark Kirk and the Republican Party, U.S. Senate nominee Alexi Giannoulias continues to lead in the Illinois race for U.S. Senate, according to the latest Rasmussen poll released today. The poll, which the Kirk campaign has cited before to claim an advantage, consistently favors Republicans. It is also the third poll in as many weeks showing Giannoulias in the lead, while none show Kirk leading.