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The last presidential debate on Wednesday could be an opportunity for Donald Trump to boost his flagging poll numbers. USA TODAY

This is the final debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump before the Nov. 8 election, and both candidates will face tough questions in Las Vegas.

Trump will have to answer for a growing roster of allegations from women accusing him of improper sexual contact, while Clinton is contending with a trove of hacked emails from her campaign chairman, John Podesta.

Here are five things the Democratic nominee needs to do in the final debate:

The WikiLeaks cloud

There’s been a stream of embarrassing email exchanges between Podesta and Clinton aides made public through the website WikiLeaks. The campaign argues the hacked communications are being released via a Russian government attempt to influence the U.S. election, but they're not denying the veracity of many of them.

They include exchanges showing internal concerns about everything from Clinton's ability to convey sincerity to her use of a private email server.

While there is no single smoking gun, collectively the messages risk painting a cynical view of her campaign that could endure beyond the election. Clinton must have an effective rejoinder that doesn’t revolve solely around blaming the Russians.

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Buck up liberals

The biggest risk for Clinton is a demoralized Democratic base, mainly among liberals whose first choice was Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. She needs to reactivate President Obama’s winning coalition that relied on strong turnout among young people and African Americans.

Trashing Trump probably isn’t enough, and time is running out.

Some WikiLeaks exchanges underscore just how significant a struggle this has been for her all along. In one exchange shortly after she lost New Hampshire to Sanders, Joel Benenson, the campaign’s chief strategist, expressed uncertainty about what “she believes or wants her core message to be?”

USA TODAY

Will Millennials vote? Poll finds record support for Clinton, but enthusiasm ebbing

Let Trump be Trump

Since the first debate on Sept. 26 at Hofstra University, Clinton’s largely stayed out of the spotlight as Trump’s campaign reels from accusations about his treatment of women, including numerous allegations of sexual misconduct.

She’s kept a lighter campaign schedule than Trump, opting for private fundraisers and intense debate preparations, while allegations about Trump’s past behavior — and his response to them — have dominated the headlines.

In an election where the public is overwhelmingly negative about both of their options, the outcome appears to hinge on which candidate proves to be the least unpopular choice. In that context, it makes sense for Clinton to pull her punches if it looks like Trump is continuing to drive up his own negative ratings.

USA TODAY

Third Trump-Clinton debate could provide explosive finale

Sharpen answer on trade 

Of all the WikiLeaks emails, the most politically damaging may be an excerpt of a 2013 Clinton speech to a Brazilian bank in which she said her “dream” is “a hemispheric common market, with open trade and open borders.”

The transcripts of Clinton’s paid Wall Street speeches have been a flashpoint since the primaries, and this excerpt probably shows why she’s kept them under wraps.

The statement risks inflaming both her liberal base — by pining for the same free-trade deals they’ve railed against — and Trump’s voters, by calling for a freewheeling system of open immigration. They also stand in contrast to the positions she’s taken publicly in this campaign, as Clinton’s insisted she’s a critic of trade deals that have hurt U.S. workers and denied she is for totally open borders.

The debate moderator, Fox News’ Chris Wallace, is almost guaranteed to ask her about this.

Be ready, literally, for anything

Based on numerous polls, Trump is trailing Clinton by margins that have proved to be historically difficult to recover from.

During the last debate, Trump invited women who’ve accused Bill Clinton of sexual assault to the debate hall to try to confront the former president and in order to create an embarrassing spectacle tarnishing her image.

With Trump already potentially positioning himself for a defeat, arguing the system is “rigged,” it’s anyone’s guess as to what kind of opposition research he’ll throw out or what kind of made-for-TV spectacle he’ll orchestrate.

• QUIZ: Test your memory of general election debates
• INTERACTIVE: Decide the next president's path to the White House
• POLL TRACKER: Check out the latest presidential polling averages

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Hillary Clinton on the campaign trail

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Clinton meets with local residents at the Jones St. Java House on April 14, 2015, in LeClaire, Iowa.  Charlie Neibergall, AP

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Clinton arrives at the Iowa Statehouse to meet with Democratic lawmakers on April 15, 2015, in Des Moines, Iowa.  Charlie Neibergall, AP

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Clinton greets June Whitcomb after a roundtable on April 21, 2015 in Concord, N.H.  Don Emmert, AFP/Getty Images

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Clinton shakes hands with students after speaking at Rancho High School on May 5, 2015 in Las Vegas.  Ethan Miller, Getty Images

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Clinton speaks to members of the media after meeting with small-business owners on May 19, 2015, at the Bike Tech cycling shop in Cedar Falls, Iowa.  Charlie Neibergall, AP

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Clinton picks out some baked goods as she visits the Main Street Bakery on May 27, 2015, in Columbia, S.C.  Joe Raedle, Getty Images

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Clinton speaks at the Inaugural Barbara Jordan Gold Medallion at Texas Southern University on June 4, 2015, in Houston.  Thomas Shea, Getty Images

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The Clintons hug after her official campaign launch event at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park on Roosevelt Island on June 13, 2015, in New York.  Timothy A. Clary, AFP/Getty Images

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Army veteran John Strong demonstrates outside the Elwell Family Food Center at the Iowa State Fairgrounds before Clinton's campaign event on June 14, 2015, in Des Moines.  Scott Olson, Getty Images

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Clinton speaks to supporters during a rally on June 14, 2015, in Des Moines, Iowa.  Charlie Neibergall, AP

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Clinton speaks to supporters during a rally on June 14, 2015, in Des Moines, Iowa.  Charlie Neibergall, AP

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Members of the Californian College Republicans protest against Clinton's fundraising visit outside the Democratic Party offices in Los Angeles on June 19, 2015.  Mark Ralston, AFP/Getty Images

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Clinton speaks at the U.S. Conference of Mayors 83rd Annual Meeting in San Francisco on June 20, 2015.  Mathew Sumner, AP

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Clinton takes part in a panel discussion during a campaign stop at Christ the King United Church of Christ on June 23, 2015, in Florissant, Mo.  Jeff Roberson, AP

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A Secret Service agent watches as Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton flexes her muscle with Miss Teen New Hampshire Allie Knault, center, and Miss New Hampshire Holly Blanchard, during a parade on July 4, 2015, in Gorham, N.H.  Robert F. Bukaty, AP

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Clinton talks with a supporter after delivering a speech about her proposed economic policies at the New School in New York on July 13, 2015.  Justin Lane, European Pressphoto Agency

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Clinton listens as House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill on July 14, 2015. Clinton, who spoke to reporters on the deal reached with Iran, attended meetings on Capitol Hill with House and Senate Democrats.  Susan Walsh, AP

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Clinton visits with Dawn Ray, owner of Simply Divine Gourmet Bakery in Detroit, on July 21, 2015.  Daniel Mears, AP

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Clinton speaks about her renewable energy plan on July 27, 2015, at the Des Moines Area Rapid Transit Central Station in Des Moines, Iowa.  Charlie Neibergall, AP

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Clinton gets fresh tomatoes at Dimond Hill Farm between campaign stops on July 28, 2015, in Hopkinton, N.H.  Jim Cole, AP

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Protester Bob Kunst of Miami wears a Clinton mask while demonstrating outside of the Quicken Loans Arena on Aug. 5, 2015, in Cleveland ahead of the first GOP primary debate.  Mandel Ngan, AFP/Getty Images

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Clinton eats a pork chop on a stick and carries a lemonade while greeting fairgoers at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 15, 2015 in Des Moines.  Win McNamee, Getty Images

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Clinton eats a pork chop on a stick and carries a lemonade while greeting fairgoers at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 15, 2015, in Des Moines.  Win McNamee, Getty Images

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Clinton speaks during a tour of the Carpenters International Training Center on Aug. 18, 2015, in Las Vegas.  John Locher, AP

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Clinton speaks to guests gathered for a campaign meeting on the campus of Case Western Reserve University on Aug. 27, 2015, in Cleveland.  Jeff Swensen, Getty Images

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Clinton speaks to supporters in an overflow area outside a campaign stop at Uncle Nancy's Coffee House on Sept. 6, 2015, in Newton, Iowa.  Charlie Neibergall, AP

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Amy Schumer skates past Clinton as she speaks to Ellen DeGeneres during a taping of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" on Sept. 8, 2015, at Rockefeller Center in New York.  Mary Altaffer, AP

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Clinton speaks at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Sept. 10, 2015, in Milwaukee.  Morry Gash, AP

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Clinton invites host Jimmy Fallon to pull her hair during a taping of "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on Sept. 16, 2015, in New York.  Douglas Gorenstein, AP

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Clinton speaks during a community forum on health care on Sept. 22, 2015, at Moulton Elementary School in Des Moines, Iowa.  Charlie Neibergall, AP

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Clinton reaches out to Nicole Hockley, whose child was killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School, during a town hall event at Manchester Community College on Oct. 5, 2015, in Manchester, N.H.  Darren McCollester

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Audience members look on as Clinton speaks during a community forum on Oct. 6, 2015, in Davenport, Iowa.  Charlie Neibergall, AP

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Bernie Sanders and Clinton take part in the first Democratic presidential primary debate at Wynn Las Vegas on Oct. 13, 2015.  Joe Raedle, Getty Images

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Clinton, accompanied by Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, smiles and waves as she arrives for a campaign rally in Alexandria, Va., on Oct. 23, 2015.  Evan Vucci, AP

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The Clintons walk off the stage during a rally before the Iowa Democratic Party's Jefferson-Jackson fundraising dinner on Oct. 24, 2015, in Des Moines, Iowa.  Brian Powers, AP

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Clinton speaks during an "African Americans For Hillary" rally at Clark Atlanta University on Oct. 30, 2015, in Atlanta.  Jessica McGowan, Getty Images

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Clinton listens to her husband, former president Bill Clinton, speak at the Central Iowa Democrats Fall Barbecue on Nov. 15, 2015, in Ames, Iowa.  Charlie Neibergall, AP

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Clinton gives a thumbs-up at the NHDP annual Jefferson Jackson dinner in Manchester, N.H., on Nov. 29, 2015.  Cheryl Senter, AP

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Clinton meets local residents at Apple Orchard Cafe on Dec. 4, 2015, in Fort Dodge, Iowa.  Charlie Neibergall, AP

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Bernie Sanders waits as Clinton returns from a break during the Democratic debate at Saint Anselm College on Dec. 19, 2015, in Manchester, N.H.  Andrew Burton, Getty Images

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Clinton speaks during a campaign stop at the Electric Park Ballroom on Jan. 11, 2016, in Waterloo, Iowa.  Joe Raedle, Getty Images

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Clinton speaks at a campaign rally in North Liberty, Iowa, on Jan. 23, 2016, ahead of the Iowa caucuses.  Jim Watson, AFP/Getty Images

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The Clintons acknowledge supporters during a caucus night rally at Drake University in Des Moines on Feb. 1, 2016.  Patrick Semansky, AP

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Bernie Sanders and Clinton take the stage before a Democratic debate at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Feb. 11, 2016, in Milwaukee.  Tom Lynn, AP

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Clinton arrives with former president Bill Clinton to give a Nevada caucus victory speech at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on Feb. 20, 2016.  Steve Marcus, AP

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Clinton speaks to supporters at her election night watch party for the South Carolina Democratic primary in Columbia, S.C., on Feb. 27, 2016.  Gerald Herbert, AP

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A campaign volunteer lines letters of Clinton's name with blue tape before the start of a rally on March 2, 2016, in New York.  Julie Jacobson, AP

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Clinton makes a point during the Democratic debate at the University of Michigan-Flint on March 6, 2016, in Flint, Mich.  Carlos Osorio, AP

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Clinton looks to Senior Pastor Clifton Ronald St. Clair Williams at Mount Zion Fellowship Church in Highland Hills, Ohio, on March 13, 2016.  Carolyn Kaster, AP

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Clinton speaks at a rally in Purchase, N.Y., on March 31, 2016.  Seth Wenig, AP

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Clinton speaks during a grass-roots event in Baltimore on April 10, 2016.  Yuri Gripas, AFP/Getty Images

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Clinton greets members of the community at the Corsi Senior Center on April 15, 2016, in New York City.  Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

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Flanked by supporters, including former New York mayor David Dinkins, Clinton celebrates after winning the New York primary on April 20, 2016.  Kathy Willens, AP

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Clinton raises her arms onstage at her Pennsylvania primary victory party at the Philadelphia Convention Center on April 26, 2016.  Tom Gralish, AP

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Clinton speaks at the NAACP's 61st annual Fight for Freedom Fund dinner in Detroit on May 1, 2016.  Paul Sancya, AP

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Clinton reacts as a 3-year-old presents her with her artwork at Lee Highway KinderCare in Fairfax, Va., on May 9, 2016.  Jacquelyn Martin, AP

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Clinton speaks at the home of Nathan Smith during a campaign stop in Fort Mitchell, Ky., on May 15, 2016.  Andrew Harnik, AP

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Clinton speaks at a rally on June 1, 2016, in Newark, N.J.  Spencer Platt, Getty Images

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Clinton speaks during a primary night rally on June 7, 2016, in New York, declaring victory in the Democratic race and becoming the first woman to lead a major-party ticket.  Julio Cortez, AP

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Clinton speaks at the Cleveland Industrial Innovation Center on June 13, 2016, about national security in the aftermath of the Orlando shootings.  Tony Dejak, AP

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Hillary Clinton addresses the crowd as Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., looks on during a campaign rally on June 27, 2016, in Cincinnati.  John Sommers II, Getty Images

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President Obama and Clinton wave following a campaign event at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, N.C., on July 5, 2016.  Susan Walsh, AP

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Clinton speaks at the African Methodist Episcopal church national convention in Philadelphia on July 8, 2016.  Matt Rourke, AP

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Clinton listens as Bernie Sanders formally endorses her during a rally in Portsmouth, N.H., on July 12, 2016.  Andrew Harnik, AP

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Hillary Clinton and Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., arrive at a rally at Florida International University Panther Arena in Miami on July 23, 2016, the day after Clinton chose Kaine to be her running mate.  Andrew Harnik, AP

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Clinton appears live via video during the day 2 of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on July 26, 2016.  Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY

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Clinton greets daughter Chelsea Clinton as she arrives on stage at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on July 28, 2016.  Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

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Clinton arrives at a campaign rally where she talked about her economic plan on Aug. 10, 2016, in Des Moines, Iowa.  Steve Pope, Getty Images

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Clinton talks with Jimmy Kimmel on the set of "Jimmy Kimmel Live" on Aug. 22, 2016, in Los Angeles.  Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

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Clinton gestures as she speaks at a campaign event at Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno, Nev., on Aug. 25, 2016.  Carolyn Kaster, AP

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Clinton arrives at Tampa International Airport on Sept. 6, 2016.  Brendan Smialowski, AFP/Getty Images

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Clinton speaks to the press at Westchester County Airport on Sept. 8, 2016, in White Plains, N.Y.  Brendan Smialowski, AFP/Getty Images

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Clinton, returning to the campaign trail after a bout of pneumonia, speaks with members of the media on her campaign plane in White Plains, N.Y., on Sept. 15, 2016, before traveling to Greensboro, N.C., for a rally.  Andrew Harnik, AP

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Clinton arrives at a campaign stop at the Frontline Outreach Center in Orlando, Fla., on Sept. 21, 2016.  Matt Rourke, AP

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Trump and Clinton shake hands after the presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., on Sept. 26, 2016.  Rick T. Wilking, AP

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Clinton arrives for a fundraiser at the St. Regis Hotel in New York on Oct. 6, 2016.  Andrew Harnik, AP

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Clinton and Trump participate in a town hall debate at Washington University in St. Louis on Oct. 9, 2016.  Rick Wilking, AFP/Getty Images

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