The candidates in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary are starting to differentiate themselves on a few crucial federal issues. One week after both Cheryle Jackson and David Hoffman expressed skepticism about President Obama's new strategy in Afghanistan, a plan Alexi Giannoulias supports, the state treasurer issued a statement today calling for Congress to let the Bush-era tax cuts expire next year:

"Tax cuts should go to those who need them most," said Giannoulias in advance of a Chicago Tribune editorial board meeting on Thursday. "As Senator, I would end the Bush tax cuts that benefited the rich and refocus tax cuts on middle-class Americans and small businesses. Smart tax relief puts money in the pockets of those most likely to spend it and supports the businesses that are responsible for the most job growth in America."

By contrast, in his Tribune editorial board questionnaire, Hoffman wrote that he supports "leaving the current tax rates in place until the recession ends because an increase may slow the rate of our economic recovery." Jackson was vague in own her response, stating that "the tax system should be fair, progressive, and as simple and straightforward as possible."

Following his AFL-CIO endorsement, Giannoulias also picked up the support of the local Planned Parenthood PAC today. (Emily's List, which supports pro-choice female candidates, has already endorsed Jackson.) From a release:

"Planned Parenthood Illinois Action is pleased to support U.S. Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias, who has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to women's reproductive health issues," said Steve Trombley, President and CEO of PPIA.  "We stand behind candidates who stand up for the women and families of Illinois."

The Hoffman campaign attempted to downplay the institutional support Giannoulias has generated in recent days:

We respect the AFL-CIO decision to endorse Alexi Giannoulias in this campaign, but we don't think they'd find it surprising we disagree with it. The economic interests of working men and women in Illinois are of far greater importance than any endorsement. There is no endorsement that will take away David Hoffman's commitment to stand up for working people and economic justice as a member of the Senate. David Hoffman is the candidate with a 16 year record of fighting against the entrenched interests and standing up for hard working families.

As people continue to get to know David Hoffman, and recognize the vast gap in experience and maturity between David and Mr. Giannoulias, we have no doubt we'll get the only endorsements that count at the end of the day; those at the polls.

It's a bit of a strange response, considering they hyped their own endorsement from the New Trier Township Democrats earlier this week.

Finally, Jacob Meister has "grave reservations" about the new public option compromise in the Senate:

“I am concerned that the proposal won’t create enough competition in the marketplace to achieve the goal of providing affordable quality health care to everyone who wants it,” Meister said.

“Health care reform was – is – about making health insurance affordable to the public,” he added. “The public option was about serving the public interest. But now the interests of tens of millions of Americans have been sold out in favor of the interests of a few insurance companies. This is a crisis of unprecedented proportions.”

Full Disclosure: The SEIU Illinois State Council, which sponsors this website, has endorsed Alexi Giannoulias in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.