Kirk, Giannoulias cast differences in relief

Economic but especially social issues highlighted differences between Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk and Democrat state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias in their U.S. Senate debate Tuesday. Here's what they said:

Q: To what extent is the federal government responsible for bailing out virtually bankrupt states like Illinois?

Kirk: “I don't think the federal government should further bail out such fiscal irresponsibility by the state."

Giannoulias: “States provide emergency aid to a lot of families, social-service providers, school districts. So the federal government needs to be a responsible partner."

Q: How would you vote on the Dream Act, legislation aimed at helping children illegally in the United States become citizens?

Giannoulias: “I am in favor of the Dream Act. I am in favor of comprehensive immigration reform. ... We can't afford to tear these families apart. These are young men and women who want a chance, a shot at the American dream."

Kirk: “First we have to restore the trust of the American people in our ability to administer our own border. Then we open up the space for the rest of the debate."

Q: Both parties have overspent in the federal budget. If you go to D.C., where do you look to cut?

Kirk: “You have across-the-board spending reductions and no department is exempt... We need a line-item veto. The Supreme Court eliminated it, but the new version that I hope President Obama comes forward with will be approved by the Congress."

Giannoulias: “Enact legislation, something the congressman voted against, to end deficit-busting budgets that have been all too familiar in Washington, D.C. Let tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans expire."

Q: How would you vote on “don't ask, don't tell" if it did come up in the Senate?

Giannoulias: “I am for the immediate repeal of don't ask, don't tell. We have kicked out over the years almost 14,000 men and women who are willing to die for this country. We have no business telling these people who want to die for this country that that's unacceptable."

Kirk: “I voted to continue the current policy. I think we ought to listen to the men and women who run the U.S. military. If you remove a policy, you've got to be able to then look in the eye of a first sergeant or a chief and say what is our new policy?"

Q: Where do you stand on gay marriages and civil unions?

Giannoulias: “I am in favor of full marriage equality. I think when we look back in 20 or 30 years we'll be embarrassed that we didn't move sooner on this."

Kirk: “I oppose gay marriage and I support civil unions, but I also don't think we should have a federal takeover of all marriage law in the United States."