Why Tonight is Donald Trumps Last Stand
What Donald Trump needs to do Dramatically alter the course of this campaign. He needs a Hail Mary, or several. Down in the polls nationally and in key swing states, Trump's focus to date has been on firing up his own base with a campaign of incendiary rhetoric and insults in hopes it depresses turn out enough to squeak out a win. That strategy is unsupported by data, which shows increases in early voting by all the groups Trump is trying to turn off. To stand a chance, he needs to do some real damage to Clinton's credibility without appearing too abrasive such that he can't win over some of the undecided voters he sorely needs. What Hillary Clinton needs to do Not much. The "first do no harm" principle applies. She doesn't need to attack Donald Trump or to score any points. She just needs to survive the 90 minutes without coming out too wounded and she'll be fine. But Clinton is wary of ceding a "win" to Trump in the debate even though at this stage it won't matter, so expect a few pointed lines going his way as she tries to play it safe. We'll have more coverage of the debate throughout the day and evening on TIME.com, Why Trump is wrong about "rigged elections." How the spouses are approaching the debate differently. And the stories behind the greatest portraits of the candidates. Must Reads, Why This Presidential Debate Is Donald Trump's Last Stand The Republican has a final opportunity in Wednesday's debate to resurrect his campaign TIME, Why Donald Trump Is Wrong About Rigged' Elections Experts reject his claims, TIME's Haley Sweetland Edwards writes, The Fight for Mosul Kamikaze 2.0 Suicide attacks have long been a leading indicator of defeat, TIME's Mark Thompson writes, Colleagues Corroborate People Writer's Story of Being Attacked By Donald Trump Six colleagues and friends are speaking out on Natasha Stoynoff's behalf People, At Previous Debates, Melania Trump and Bill Clinton Shook Hands. Not Anymore. Clinton campaign earns concession amid Trump campaign's tricks New York Times, President Obama Told Donald Trump to Stop Whining' About Elections Obama called Trump's claims about election rigging "irresponsible" TIME, Sound Off, "Some days our presidential campaign can seem like Dante's Inferno.'"  President Barack Obama at a State Dinner for Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi Tuesday, "Look, look, if nothing else, people are going to be watching on November 8th. Watch Philadelphia. Watch St. Louis. Watch Chicago. Watch Chicago. Watch so many other places."  Trump at a rally in Colorado on the potential for voter fraud, Bits and Bites, Everything We Know About the Latest James O'Keefe Video Sting TIME, How Donald Trump Changed the Meaning of Gaffes TIME, President Obama Compares Election to Dante's Inferno TIME, Here's the Guest List for the Obamas' Final State Dinner TIME, Donald Trump Is Bringing President Obama's Half-Brother to the Third Debate TIME, The Hillary Clinton Sessions The Stories Behind the Greatest Portraits TIME, The Donald Trump Sessions The Stories Behind the Greatest Portraits TIME, Sexual Assault Survivors Protest at Trump Tower TIME, That time Harry Reid found his 1992 picture with Donald Trump at a fundraiser Washington Post, How Donald Trump's New Ethics Plan Stacks Up to Hillary Clinton's and Barack Obama's TIME