WASHINGTON--President Obama hits Chicago for a few hours on Thursday, with the main purpose of the trip to raise money--at least a million for Democratic Illinois Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias. In advance of his arrival, the Republican National Committee lobbed one at Obama:

"The Presidents willingness to raise money for Alexi Giannoulias raises serious questions about his judgment and credibility. Just two years after campaigning on a message of hope and change, the American people should be troubled that President Obama is now endorsing a risky banker who made loans to mobsters and put his own interest over Illinois voters. The President should be condemning Mr. Giannoulias, not offering a tacit endorsement of his shady business dealings to mobsters." - Ryan Tronovitch, RNC Spokesman