Congressman Mark Kirk is relying on secret money raised by undisclosed corporate donors and a visit by an out-of-state politician to save his campaign, while Alexi Giannoulias rallies voters with hometown hero, U.S. President Barack Obama.

U.S. Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias today launched a new positive campaign ad that features both President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.

The 30-second spot also features his mother and workers from DesPlaines suitmaker Hartmarx with each of them noting Giannoulias’ compassion and character.

“You can trust him,” President Obama says in the ad. “You can count on him.”

The ad is the first and only in the nation that features the First Lady endorsing a candidate.

U.S. Senate Nominee Alexi Giannoulias’ campaign released a new positive ad today that features President Obama and focuses on his successful battle to save jobs at Illinois suit maker Hartmarx.

The 30-second spot begins with the president telling voters they can trust and count on Giannoulias. He then talks about Giannoulias’ efforts as Illinois State Treasurer to prevent Hartmarx from closing and laying off hundreds of workers.

CHICAGO – President Barack Obama is robocalling Illinois voters today in support of U.S. Senate nominee Alexi Giannoulias.

The President’s robocall targets 800,000 Democrats who are likely to vote for Giannoulias and urges them to avoid lines and bad weather by voting early or by mail. The calls are scheduled to begin this morning and will be completed in the afternoon.

CHICAGO - The Alexi for Illinois campaign today released a new television ad - "The Choice" - highlighting President Barack Obama's endorsement of Alexi's character, leadership on ethics and refusal of federal lobbyist money. The 30-second spot begins airing statewide Thursday.

The new ad can be viewed here.

"The Choice: Ethics" (Ad) : video

Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Alexi Giannoulias releases his first campaign ad of the fall election season.

* Obama slams Kirk, not by name, at Giannoulias fund-raiser - Chicago Sun-Times

President Obama sought to remove all doubt Thursday that the White House is 100 percent behind his old friend, Democrat Alexi Giannoulias, to take Obama's old Senate seat. "Alexi is my friend. I know his character. I know how much he loves this country."...Without mentioning Giannoulias' Republican opponent, Rep. Mark Kirk, by name, Obama appeared to slam him, saying "Alexi is not one of these politicians who puts his fingers to the wind and changes who he is or where he stands to suit the political moment."

Hello, everybody!  Hello, Chicago! Thank you very much.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Everybody have a seat.  Have a seat, everybody.

It is good to be back home. It is good to be back home, and I am so proud to be standing here with the next Senator from the great state of Illinois, Alexi Giannoulias.

Now, we’ve got some other important personages here, so I want to make sure to make mention, because they have been great friends for many years to me and to so many of you.

President Obama Rallies Democrats for Alexi : video

President Obama rallies Democrats in support of Alexi Giannoulias and the importance of this Senate race to the future of the country.

REMARKS BY ALEXI GIANNOULIAS:

Thank you very much; it is great to see so many friends and supporters. I want to begin by thanking the finest mayor in the United States of America. Someone who cares deeply about this city, someone who fights every single day for people on the west side of Chicago, south side of Chicago, someone who loves this city, loves being the mayor, someone who I'm very proud to call my friend, Mayor Richard Daley. Thank you, Mayor.