Marathon Pundit: Giannoulias' toothless answer on "Jaws"

After meeting with the Chicago Sun-Times editorial board, Democratic Senate nominee Alexi Giannoulias, walked a few blocks east to meet with the paper's counterparts at the Chicago Tribune.

The state treasurer was asked about Michael "Jaws" Giorango. Alexi approved $12 million in loans to the convicted mobster while serving as senior loan officer at the Giannoulias family-owned Broadway Bank.

Here's how the Trib described the scene:

In answering questions about Broadway's loans to Giorango, Giannoulias said Giorango had a relationship at the bank before he worked there full-time after his graduation from law school. But in offering his latest explanation of his contact with Giorango, Giannoulias today at first contended he was unaware of Giorango's criminal history.

That contradicted Giannoulias' comments in 2006 to the Tribune, in which he acknowledged knowing Giorango had a criminal background. When reminded today of his past comments, the treasurer said he would have to check his past statements before saying any more because he doesn't want to give inconsistent answers