I’m a Palin backer.
That said, Perry has more to lose doing the debate than not. There are plenty of debates and people will forget by the next one.
I doubt people would forget him debating while fires are burning, and he’s far more vulnerable to opposition sniping if they can tar him with that image.
Better odds to skip the debate.
You are correct. It would be the same as those who try to discredit Sarah by calling her a quitter. They try to turn a selfless, honorable action into a weakness.