I’d guess this is the right call. Political damage control. Had McCain skipped the debate without a deal in hand, he would look like the bad guy. He’s differentiated himself from BHO (who went to the gym) and probably has not good reason for not attending now that negotiations are underway.
While it’s probably a good idea to do the debate... someone in the campaign really screwed up and misjudged the situation in Congress. It seems to me they blinked... played ‘chicken’ with the situation and lost.
Obama went to the gym because he doesn’t care about this country. He only cares about himself. But then again.....people in Congress probably told him he wasn’t needed......go away.