CHICAGO - After learning of Mark Kirk's comments at a closed press Republican event in Winnetka, which were reported yesterday, U.S. Senate nominee Alexi Giannoulias released the following statement:

"I was disappointed in Republican Congressman Mark Kirk's disrespectful remarks referring to our commander-in-chief as 'this guy' and gleefully admitting he is working with Republicans to obstruct meaningful reform. He should apologize and get to work immediately with our President to tackle the enormous challenges we face. Illinois voters have a clear choice in this campaign: while President Obama and I will fight hard to move this country forward, Mark Kirk is just another typical Washington insider who would clearly rather stand with the corporate special interests and obstruct progress than get things done."

Kirk's full statement can be read and heard at Politico.