Sen. Mike Crapo (R) "sparred" with businessman Tom Sullivan (D) "over taxes and federal spending" at a 10/12 debate, with Crapo "warning that 'America is facing very difficult times.'"

Crapo "called for extending all the Bush tax cuts," while Sullivan "said that would mostly benefit the wealthy."

Sullivan: "The real tax cuts are going to the people at the top of the income chain. I think it's time that we have a system of fair taxation -- not, you know, Mike Crapo's friends at Goldman Sachs."

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Crapo: "That's the spin we always hear about tax relief -- it's always for the rich people. ... Everybody's income tax was reduced."

"Sullivan was asked, given his struggles with big tax debt in his business, why voters should choose him to replace Crapo." Sullivan: "Because I have been the one who has been able to pay down my debt. I was caught up in this 2008 downturn. I'm not complaining, I'm not crying, I rolled up my sleeves and I got to work and I've paid it off, nearly completely paid it off."

"Crapo declined to comment on Sullivan's tax issues." Crapo: "I have not made it an issue in my campaign" (Russell, Spokane Spokesman-Review, 10/13).