Here's a news item from the Associated Press:  BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Politicians opting out of televised debates are again news in Idaho. Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter told organizers in Lewiston he couldn't do an Oct. 7 debate, though he's scheduled for three other meetings with Democratic challenger Keith Allred. And U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick opted out of a late-October debate on KTVB-TV in Boise, saying he wanted to keep his calendar as flexible as possible. The Democrat is still set to debate Republican Raul Labrador on Idaho Public Television on Oct. 14. Labrador spokesman Phil Hardy blasted Minnick's move as "cowardly" and says he's depriving voters of an important public forum. Minnick aide John Foster contends the public TV debate serves that purpose. Foster also said televised debates are less relevant these days, since voters have more opportunities to connect with candidates via other electronic media.