I suspect the Clinton campaign was planning to wait until a few days before the election to spring the "sexual assault" allegations against Trump, but was forced to play that card earlier than planned in order to divert attention away from the Wikileaks revelations.
I think that is correct. And I have serious suspicion that the GOP nevertrump faction also wanted that timing. A Hail Mary of sorts hoping that Pence would bolt, and they’d drop in a ringer.
Agreed