COEUR d'ALENE - Even though it's an election year, Sen. Mike Crapo wasted no time with idle chatter Friday during an editorial board meeting at The Press.

Instead, the senator outlined, then detailed, what he views to be some of the most important issues facing our nation, including: the Bush tax cuts, Iraq and Afghanistan, financial reform, BP and the Supreme Court.

"I am squarely on the side that we need to extend and protect the Bush tax cuts," said Crapo, who is seeking his third term in the U.S. Senate this November. "They should have been permanent when they were enacted and they should be made permanent now.

"It's interesting to me that the discussion is about the so-called Bush tax cuts, but the issue we're talking about is whether we should raise taxes. We should not," he added.

Next, Crapo discussed the financial reform bill the Senate will vote on next week.

"The new national regulatory reform bill will establish a wholesale new set of very aggressive regulations and changes in many, many aspects of the financial world," Crapo said.

He believes these changes will restrict access to capital, increase costs and may drive companies to look toward other nations for future investments.

The senator said he feels the U.S. should not get in a position of permanent occupation in any nation, and hopes that we can move out of Iraq in a timely manner.

In Afghanistan, Crapo said he believes a successful strategy depends on three things: clearing, holding and building. Put simply, clear out the Taliban, hold the cleared territories and help build an economy and government that has the trust of the people and the strength to repel threats without U.S. assistance.

He supports the president's decision to replace Gen. Stanley McChrystal, but honors him as an American hero stating, "he has done an excellent job."

The senator touched on the BP Gulf of Mexico oil spill, stating, "It is a tragedy and shows that we don't have the right kind of safety and protection requirements in place."

The senator said BP and its affiliates "should be fully responsible for the cost."

"We should have the same rules for everybody," Crapo said about the Supreme Court's decision to remove the cap on what corporations and unions can contribute in advertising for or against candidates running for office. "I don't care if that is full disclosure and no limits or really strict limits and full disclosure, as long as everybody has the same rules."