* We’ve discussed before that it’s very difficult for the down-ballot statewide candidates to pierce through the media’s wall-to-wall coverage of the governor’s race.

Well, this development might just do that. Former Democratic state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias has endorsed Republican state Rep. Tom Cross for the office over Democratic Sen. Mike Frerichs.

Check the one-hour, twelve-minute mark of Rick Pearson’s “Sunday Spin” show. Giannoulias bemoans the hyper-partisanship of today’s politics and shifts to the treasurer’s race…

We just need good people in office, we need people who care and individuals who understand what they’re doing…

While I’m a proud Democrat, proud of what we’ve done, I do think there are certain people who run for office on both sides who are willing to reach across the aisle.

I’ve known Tom Cross for a while, I think he’s got courage, I think he’s a good guy. He sponsored Illinois’ embryonic stem cell law to help researchers find cures for diseases like Diabetes and Alzheimer’s. He’s pro-choice. He was one of the deciding votes for Illinois’ marriage equality law. He supports common sense immigration reform. He has said that he is willing to talk about a minimum wage increase, which is something I think we should be talking about.

And while I’m not in politics any more, who I’m friends with and who I think would be a good leader is probably not important to a lot of people, I do appreciate the fact that Tom Cross has done his homework on the office of the treasurer, he understands the role. And when you talk about people who are willing to break with their party and do what’s right, I think he represents one of those people.

* When asked why Frerichs might not be up to the task, Giannoulias talked about Frerichs’ infamous Israel bonds stumble - when he repeatedly demanded that the treasurer’s office divest itself from all foreign investments, even though Israeli government bonds are the only foreign investment currently in the office’s portfolio. You can read some background on that issue by clicking here.

Back to the program…

I’m not here to bang on Mike Frerichs… I think his statements on Israel bonds weren’t carefully thought out. It’s been one of the better investments in the state treasurer’s office. There’s never been a default. Since the Israel bonds came out they’re about, last I saw, they’re about 1.4 percent higher over a ten-year period than US Treasuries, so it’s a good investment.

I just think it’s important for folks to do their homework before they make certain statements.

Ouch.

If this story doesn’t break through the white noise, then pretty much nothing will. I’ll open comments on Monday.

*** UPDATE *** From Frerichs’ campaign manager…

“Tom Cross has repeatedly said he thinks Dan Rutherford is doing a good job. Mike Frerichs is going to run the Treasurer’s office differently. On day one, Mike will launch an independent audit, roll back the political internship program and sweep politics out of the Treasurer’s office.

Tom Cross repeatedly opposed increasing the minimum wage, voted repeatedly to make it legal to fire people for being gay, and Tom Cross worked to elect anti-choice, anti-equality Tea Party candidates. His actions are clear when it comes to progressive issues and working families.“