You'd search a long time to find anyone who is a bigger budget deficit hawk than Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo. A member of the Gang of Six, Crapo embraces closing tax loopholes as a way to lower overall tax rates and generate more money. That makes Crapo one of the few Republicans even willing to discuss revenues. And you'd travel far and wide before you'd find a collection of people who are more aghast at federal spending than Crapo's constituents - including many of those in the Tribune's readership. Except, of course, when it gets too close to home. Then the tune changes. Case in point: The New York Times recently highlighted Crapo's ardent defense of a $3 billion loophole for the pulp and paper industry/Marty Trillhaase, Lewiston Tribune. More here.

Question: So is U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo guilty of talking out of both sides of his mouth here?