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Will October Surprises Dominate Final Debate?

CBN

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LAS VEGAS – Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump face of one last time in a debate showdown in Las Vegas, Nevada. They tackled topics like the U.S. Supreme Court, gun-control, abortion and immigration off the top.

Don't miss CBN's David Brody and Jenna Browder on Facebook LIVE, Thursday, Oct. 20 @ 10 a.m. ET.

The first question of the night was about what types of justices they'd appoint. 

Trump said he'd appoint justices who would support the Second Amendment and the right to bear arms.

Clinton said she disagrees with the 2008 Heller decision that found the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to bear arms for self-defense.

She also said she'd strongly defend Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood. 

Trump says he'd appoint justices who would overturn Roe v. Wade and return the decision about legalizing abortion to the states.

Clinton says current federal law protects "partial-birth" abortion and she would keep it that way as president. She says she has met women undergoing the "heartbreaking" procedure for health reasons.
  
Donald Trump says, "I think it's terrible." He is likening partial-birth abortions to allowing women to "rip the baby out of the womb" in the ninth month or even on the last day of pregnancy.

When it comes to immigration, Trump reiterated he'd secure the borders while Clinton said that she wants secure borders but wants to keep families together. She was referencing the nation's 11 million unauthorized immigrants who have four million American citizen children.

Meanwhile, outside of the debate, they're also fighting a messy media war that could end up taking center stage during tonight's debate.
  
The non-profit group Project Veritas packed a one-two punch against Clinton and the Democrats – first, by releasing undercover video of Democratic operatives working with the Clinton campaign to orchestrate chaos at Trump rallies.

Then the group released secret footage of a Democratic election official in New York City blasting Mayor Bill de Blasio for a municipal ID program he says is contributing to voter fraud.

"He gave out ID cards, de Blasio. That's in lieu of a driver's license, but you can use it for anything," Commissioner Alan Schulkin says in the undercover video. "But they didn't vet people to see who they really are. Anybody can go in there and say, 'I am Joe Smith; I want an ID card.'"

The news comes after a handful of WikiLeaks releases that give Clinton's critics new ammunition in their argument that she can't be trusted.

Meanwhile, Trump is continuing to defend himself against allegations from women who say they were the victims of unwanted sexual advances from him.

His wife, Melania, and daughter, Ivanka, have wasted no time coming to his defense.

"I believe my husband. This was all organized from the opposition," Melania Trump told CNN's Anderson Cooper. "My husband is kind and he's a gentleman and he would never do that. Everything was organized and put together to hurt him, to hurt his candidacy."

In an interview with Fast Company, Ivanka Trump said, "The greatest comfort I have is the fact that I know my father. Most of the people who write about him don't. I do. So that gives me an ability to shrug off the things that I read about him that are wrong."

Heading into Wednesday night's debate, there's no question the burden is on Trump to stand out, get back on message and remind voters why they nominated an outsider.

"What I would like to see is a real debate where rules are followed and finger pointing doesn't happen and physical intimidation doesn't happen," a woman named Deborah told CBN News.

Brianna from Texas used to be for Clinton; now she's so frustrated she's considering not voting.

"I feel like it's a big joke," she said. "I feel like it's a big circus and due to the fact that I don't think they're taking it serious, it's pushing me to not take it serious."

According to Ray from California, one way or another, a big change is coming.

"I think it's time to realize that we're in a lot of trouble," he warned. "I think the United States is in a lot of trouble, government – I've never seen the government more crooked as it is appearing now."

Like a roll of the dice, Nevada could still go either way. Rep. Cresent Hardy, R-Nev., said having the debate here reaffirms the state's electoral significance.

"I think it's right up there with having Cher come back and be here at The Palace," he quipped. "I joke, but it is important."

Frustration in this swing state is justified. Nevada has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country – in some places it's more than double the national average.

"That's all every father wants to do is provide for his family and have a roof over their head, food on the table, and clothes on their back and want to have a little more to live that American dream," Hardy told CBN News.

The question for many is how to get there.

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