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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

Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton meet one final time before Election Day, squaring off Wednesday in Las Vegas in their third debate. Trump, beleaguered by the fallout from the now-infamous Access Hollywood recording and subsequent allegations of sexual misconduct, needs nothing short of a tour de force performance to revive his chances of catching Clinton before Nov. 8.

Here are five things Trump needs to do in Wednesday's debate.

1. Decide whether to be the "issues" Trump or the "take-no-prisoners" Trump

During the campaign, Trump has oscillated between issue-oriented speeches and slam-bang rallies in which he accuses Hillary and Bill Clinton of all kinds of misbehavior. In recent days, he's ramped up charges that critics, including the media, are trying to "rig" the election against him. The more aggressive Trump showed up at the last debate — along with a few of Bill Clinton's past accusers, invited by the Trump campaign — in St. Louis on Oct. 9, generating what was perhaps the nastiest debate in presidential history. Will the showdown in Las Vegas be worse?

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2. Address women directly

Trump will likely be called upon to defend himself against claims by more than a dozen women who have accused him of unwanted sexual advances. There's also the recording made public earlier this month in which Trump talks about how he can grab, grope and kiss women because he is a celebrity. As a result, the Republican nominee's approval ratings with women — never high to begin with — have dipped even more in recent days. Trump needs to use this debate to improve his standing among female voters, who make up more than half the electorate. That includes female Republicans, who could put traditionally red states in play for Clinton if they defect in significant enough numbers.

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3. Act presidential

This is Trump's last chance to pass the presidential threshold test in front of a television audience of tens of millions. He must prove he has the knowledge and the temperament to be president and commander in chief, attributes voters have expressed doubts about after the first two debates. The New York businessman has never held public office, and his lack of familiarity with the challenges of the job have become apparent. One of the scheduled debate topics is "fitness to be president," and Trump needs to rise to that challenge.

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4. It's not just about her

Trump needs to get beyond attacking Clinton (and her husband). He needs to talk about what he would do as president and what kind of vision he would bring to the presidency. Look for Trump to talk more about issues, such as his new proposed political ethics reforms. Another scheduled debate topic should be in Trump's wheelhouse: immigration, which didn't surface during the first two sessions with Clinton.

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5. Avoid a big blow-up

Trump has expressed deep anger on the campaign as the allegations against him have mounted. They don't make much difference with his supporters, but angry outbursts would not play well on a nationally televised debate stage. Trump needs to be cool, calm and collected as he debates the Democrat seeking to be the first female president, a rival who has questioned the Republican's very stability.

• 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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Donald Trump: A look at his career and 2016 campaign

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Donald Trump stands next to one of his three Sikorsky helicopters at New York Port Authority's West 30 Street Heliport in March 1988.  Wilbur Funches, AP

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Heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, right, speak at a __news conference while adviser Donald Trump looks, after announcing a settlement between Tyson and his manager, Bill Cayton, on July 27, 1988.  Richard Drew, AP

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Donald Trump, right, waits with his brother Robert for the start of a Casino Control Commission meeting in Atlantic City on March 29, 1990. Trump was seeking final approval for the Taj Mahal Casino Resort, one of the world's largest casino complexes.  AP

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Donald Trump stands next to a genie lamp as the lights of his Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort light up the evening sky marking the grand opening of the venture in Atlantic City on April 5, 1990.  Mike Derer, AP

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Donald Trump and architect Adrian Smith unveil an artist rendition of Trump Tower Chicago at a __news conference on Sept. 23, 2003.  Scott Olson, Getty Images

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Donald Trump signs autographs for a crowd prior to the demolition of the old Chicago Sun-Times building on Oct. 28, 2004.  Jeff Roberson, AP

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Donald Trump on the set for his show, "The Apprentice" in 2006.  Virginia Sherwood, NBC

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Ann Romney looks on as Donald Trump and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney shake hands during a news conference held by Trump to endorse Mitt Romney for president on Feb. 2, 2012, in Las Vegas.  Ethan Miller, Getty Images

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Eric F. Trump, Donald Trump and Donald Trump Jr. attend the "Celebrity Apprentice All Stars" Season 13 Press Conference at Jack Studios on October 12, 2012, in New York City.  Slaven Vlasic, Getty Images

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Donald Trump and Miss Connecticut USA Erin Brady pose onstage after Brady won the 2013 Miss USA pageant, on June 16, 2013.  Jeff Bottari, FR170524AP

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Donald Trump and Ivanka Trump watch as the ceremonial starter hits to start the first round of the WGC-Cadillac Championship golf tournament at TPC Blue Monster at Trump National Doral on March 5, 2015, in Miami.  Jason Getz, USA TODAY Sports

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Donald Trump reacts alongside wife Melania Trump before the welterweight boxing fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao on May 2, 2015.   Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports

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Donald Trump speaks during the Freedom Summit on May 9, 2015, in Greenville, South Carolina.  Richard Ellis, Getty Images

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Donald Trump speaks to guests gathered for the Republican Party of Iowa's Lincoln Dinner at the Iowa Events Center on May 16, 2015, in Des Moines, Iowa.  Scott Olson, Getty Images

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Trump announces his presidential run on June 16, 2015, at Trump Tower in New York.  JUSTIN LANE, EPA

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Trump holds up documents from a poll that shows him running in second place among Republican candidates as he speaks at a meeting of the City Club of Chicago on June 29, 2015.  Tannen Maury, European Pressphoto Agency

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Trump greets the crowd before speaking at the Phoenix Convention Center on July 11, 2015.  Cheryl Evans, The Arizona Republic

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Trump speaks at the Family Leadership Summit in Ames, Iowa, on July 18, 2015.  Nati Harnik, AP

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Trump arrives at the airport for a visit to the U.S./Mexico border in Laredo, Texas, on July 23, 2015.  LM Otero, AP

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Trump drives his golf buggy during the second day of the Women's British Open golf championship on the Turnberry golf course in Turnberry, Scotland, on July 31, 2015.  Scott Heppell, AP

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Trump, alongside fellow Republican presidential candidates Ben Carson and Scott Walker, participates in the first prime-time presidential debate hosted by Fox news and Facebook at the Quicken Loans Arena on Aug. 6, 2015, in Cleveland.  Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

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Trump delivers the keynote address at the Genesee and Saginaw Republican Party Lincoln Day Event on Aug. 11, 2015, in Birch Run, Mich., his first campaign event since his Republican debate debut.  Bill Pugliano, Getty Images

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Trump greets fairgoers while campaigning at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 15, 2015, in Des Moines.  Win McNamee, Getty Images

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Trump greets supporters after his rally at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on Aug. 21, 2015, in Mobile, Ala.  Mark Wallheiser, Getty Images

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Trump fields a question from Univision and Fusion anchor Jorge Ramos during a press conference held before his campaign event at the Grand River Center on Aug. 25, 2015, in Dubuque, Iowa. Earlier in the press conference Trump had Ramos removed from the room.  Scott Olson

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Trump asks a supporter, Mary Margaret Bannister, check to see whether his hair is real during his speech to supporters at a rally at the TD Convention Center on Aug. 27, 2015, in Greenville, S.C  RICHARD SHIRO, AP

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Trump looks at his signed pledge during a news conference at Trump Tower on Sept. 3, 2015, in which he vowed to support the Republican Party's nominee, whoever it may be.  Richard Drew, AP

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Trump speaks at a rally organized by Tea Party Patriots on Capitol Hill on Sept. 9, 2015, to oppose the Iran nuclear agreement.  Carolyn Kaster, AP

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Jimmy Fallon and Trump appear in the "Trump in the Mirror" skit during a taping of "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on Sept. 11, 2015, in New York.  Douglas Gorenstein, AP

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Trump speaks during a campaign event aboard the USS Iowa battleship in Los Angeles on Sept. 15, 2015.  Kevork Djansezian, AP

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Trump speaks during the CNN Republican presidential debate at the Reagan library on Sept. 16, 2015, in Simi Valley, Calif.  Mark J. Terrill, AP

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Trump high-fives homecoming king Austin Cook as queen Eylse Pescott looks on during a rally at Urbandale High School on Sept. 19, 2015, in Urbandale, Iowa.  Charlie Neibergall, AP

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Trump announces his tax plan during a press conference at Trump Tower in New York on Sept. 28, 2015.  Dominick Reuter, AFP/Getty Images

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Trump answers a reporter's question prior to a town hall event at Keene High School on Sept. 30, 2015, in Keene, N.H.  Darren McCollester, Getty Images

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Trump invites Myriam Witcher, 35, of Las Vegas on the stage during a campaign rally at the Treasure Island Hotel & Casino on Oct. 8, 2015, in Las Vegas.  Isaac Brekken, Getty Images

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Trump leaves the stage following a campaign rally at Burlington Memorial Auditorium on Oct. 21, 2015, in Burlington, Iowa.  Scott Olson, Getty Images

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Trump is questioned by the media after the CNBC Republican presidential debate on Oct. 28, 2015, in Boulder, Colo.  Jeremy Papasso, AP

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New Hampshire Secretary of State Bill Gardner watches at left as Trump fills out his papers to be on the New Hampshire primary ballot on Nov. 4, 2015, in Concord, N.H.  Jim Cole, AP

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Trump speaks alongside Marco Rubio and Ben Carson during the Republican debate on Nov. 10, 2015, in Milwaukee.  Scott Olson, Getty Images

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Trump addresses supporters during a campaign rally at the Greater Columbus Convention Center on Nov. 23, 2015, in Columbus, Ohio.  Ty Wright, Getty Images

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Donald Trump waves to the crowd after participating in a campaign event in Aiken, S.C., on Dec. 12, 2015.  Erik S. Lesser, European Pressphoto Agency

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Trump speaks during a campaign stop at Winthrop University on Jan. 8, 2016, in Rock Hill, S.C.  Rainier Ehrhardt, AP

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Trump arrives at Muscatine Municipal Airport for a rally at Muscatine High School in Muscatine, Iowa, on Jan. 24, 2016.  Andrew Harnik, AP

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Trump walks down the steps after speaking at a caucus site on Feb. 1, 2016, in Clive, Iowa.  Jae C. Hong, AP

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Trump greets people as he visits a polling station on Feb. 9, 2016 in Manchester, N.H.  Joe Raedle, Getty Images

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Trump acknowledges cheering supporters celebrating his victory in the South Carolina Republican primary in Spartanburg, S.C., on Feb. 20, 2016.  RICHARD ELLIS, EPA

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Trump speaks during a rally on Feb. 23, 2016, in Reno, Nev.  Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP

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Trump talks to a boy at the end of a rally at the Peabody Opera House on March 11, 2016, in St. Louis.  Michael B. Thomas, AFP/Getty Images

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Trump addresses the media at a press conference following his victory in the Florida primary on March 15, 2016, in West Palm Beach, Fla.  Rhona Wise, AFP/Getty Images

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Trump and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie disembark from Trump's plane during a campaign stop on March 1, 2016, in Columbus, Ohio.  John Minchillo, AP

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Trump speaks at a campaign rally in New Orleans on March 4, 2016.  Gerald Herbert, AP

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Trump speaks to supporters at his primary night event at Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Fla., on March 15, 2016.  Gerald Herbert, AP

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Trump tours the Old Post Office Pavilion, soon to be a Trump International Hotel, on March 21, 2016, in Washington.  Alex Brandon, AP

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Trump waves as he gets into his vehicle in Washington on March 31, 2016, following a meeting at the Republican National Committee headquarters.  Susan Walsh, AP

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Trump arrives at a campaign rally in Bethpage, N.Y., on April 6, 2016.  Peter Foley, European Pressphoto Agency

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Trump signs a hat after speaking at a rally at the Connecticut Convention Center on April 15, 2016 in Hartford, Conn.  Matthew Cavanaugh, Getty Images

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Trump speaks following victory in the New York primary on April 19, 2016.  Jewel Samad, AFP/Getty Images

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Trump waves to the crowd at the end of his campaign rally at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum on April 27, 2016, in Indianapolis.  John Sommers II, Getty Images

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Trump gestures while speaking during a campaign rally at the Indiana Theater on May 1, 2016, in Terre Haute, Ind.  Seth Perlman, AP

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Trump speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in his office at Trump Tower in New York on May 10, 2016.  Mary Altaffer, AP

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Trump answers questions during a news conference in New York on May 31, 2016.  Richard Drew, AP

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Trump gives a speech on terrorism at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H., on June 13, 2016, in the aftermath of the Orlando shootings.  Timothy A. Clary, AFP/Getty Images

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Trump delivers a speech attacking Hillary Clinton at Trump SoHo Hotel on June 22, 2016.  Drew Angerer, Getty Images

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Trump speaks at the 2016 Western Conservative Summit at the Colorado Convention Center on July 1, 2016 in Denver.  Marc Piscotty, Getty Images

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Trump arrives at RNC headquarters for a meeting with House Speaker Paul Ryan and House Republicans on July 7, 2016, in Washington.  Mark Wilson, Getty Images

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Trump listens to a question during an interview after a rally in Virginia Beach, Va., on July 11, 2016.  Steve Helber, AP

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Trump and his family attend an arrival event with Gov. Mike Pence and his family at the Great Lakes Science Center on July 20, 2016, in Cleveland during the GOP convention.  Jeff J Mitchell, Getty Images

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Trump delivers his acceptance speech during the Republican National Convention on July 21, 2016.  Kelly Jordan, USA TODAY

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Trump meets with the editorial board of Colorado Springs Gazette on July 29, 2016, in downtown Colorado Springs, Colo.  Christian Murdock, AP

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Trump holds up a chart as he speaks during his campaign event at the BB&T Center on Aug. 10, 2016, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.  Joe Raedle, Getty Images

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Trump arrives to speak at a campaign rally in Akron, Ohio, alongside former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani on Aug. 22, 2016.  Gerald Herbert, AP

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Mexico President Enrique Pena Nieto and Trump shake hands after a joint statement at Los Pinos, the presidential official residence, in Mexico City on Aug. 31, 2016.  Marco Ugarte, AP

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Trump arrives for his immigration speech at the Phoenix Convention Center on Aug. 31, 2016.  Michael Chow/The Republic, Michael Chow-USA TODAY Sports

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Trump speaks with 'Today' show co-anchor Matt Lauer at the NBC Commander-In-Chief Forum held at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space museum in New York on Sept. 7, 2016.  Evan Vucci, AP

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Trump waves as he steps out of his plane for a rally at the JetCenters of Colorado in Colorado Springs on Sept. 17, 2016.  Mandel Ngan, AFP/Getty Images

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Trump speaks during a rally at Duplin County Events Center in Kenansville, N.C., on Sept. 20, 2016.  Mandel Ngan, AFP/Getty Images

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Trump and Clinton shake hands at the end of the first presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., on Sept. 26, 2016.  Joe Raedle, AFP/Getty Images

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Trump meets with members of the National Border Patrol Council at Trump Tower on Oct. 7, 2016, in New York.  Evan Vucci, AP

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Trump and Clinton take part in the town hall debate at Washington University on Oct. 9, 2016, in St Louis.  Saul Loeb, Pool/Getty Images

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