I think he did very well. Frankly, I now have no idea at this point whether this will work to McCain’s favor or not. Time will tell. I do think this shows that McCain is a player in the Senate the way Obama is not. My gut as of 5:17 PM is that McCain should do something like the Grant gambit mentioned below and show up for the debate at the last minute and then leave immediately after to get back to Washington. But who knows whether that will hold up through 5:19.

Update: What Paul said below.