Well it looks like McCain or his campaign just blinked. According to the LA Times it looks like Johnny will be heading to Ole Miss right after the meeting with the Mr. 19% and the next President.
This from theLA Times
There were indications today that McCain intends to attend the debate after all, despite his request Wednesday for its postponement. Campaign aides told reporters traveling with the candidate that there was the possibility of a flight to Mississippi after this afternoon's meeting about the bailout plan with President Bush at the White House.
And Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, welcoming reporters to Oxford in advance of the debate, said today that "I expect there to be a debate tomorrow night and I'm looking forward to it." He said he had he had no inside information on whether McCain will attend but said it was his "expectation" that the debate would take place.
Now I assume the McCain campaign will spin this as the - mere threat of John dropping in to help hammer out legistlation forced everybody's hand :)