Idaho state Treasurer Ron Crane is pulling out of tomorrow’s scheduled statewide debate on Idaho Public Television because he’s lost his voice, but is working to get it rescheduled for next week. “He’s caught the crud that everybody else has had, and yesterday he was a little froggy but today his voice is practically completely gone,” said Crane’s campaign spokesman, Ken Burgess. He said Crane remains “absolutely committed” to debating his Democratic challenger, Deborah Silver, in the “Idaho Debates,” which are co-sponsored by the Idaho Press Club and the League of Women Voters and broadcast live statewide on Idaho Public TV.

Silver was skeptical. “I think he doesn’t want to answer some questions that we have out there right now,” she said. The first three alternative dates proposed conflict with major campaign events she has scheduled around the state next week, she said. “I’m ready to debate. I’m totally prepared to debate. So we’ll see how this works.”

The two also are scheduled to face off at Boise TV station KTVB on Monday; Burgess said Crane is hopeful he’ll be able to do that one. The treasurer’s debate in the “Idaho Debates” had been scheduled for 8:30 p.m. on Thursday.