[xzins]

there is no fire in washington that perry answering 4 or 5 questions in 30 second soundbites tomorrow night is going to change

the entire group “meet the press” conference is a joke anyway.

[sarasmom]

Agree.
I don't much care for Perry, but he IS the Governor of Texas, and his state IS enduring a crisis situation.
Frankly, his number one job is being the Governor of Texas right now, not attending a dog and pony show/debate.

These shows aren't even actual “debates”, they are contrived media events, the political equivalent of a predetermined WWF cage matches, except the contenders don't know what storyline is going to be presented..

I will give him a pass,whether he decides to attend or not, at the last moment.
It all depends upon conditions completely beyond his controll.

Frankly, I much prefer neutral controlled events, where all the candidates each respond to the same five-ten questions without benefit of “handlers” or speechwriters.