I think Team Clinton will roll the dice on her being able to make it through the debate, using whatever combination of drugs is required.
You sum it up well: she can’t go on, but she can’t afford not to go on.
Her only hope is for a haymaker in next week’s debate.
And, at the risk of sounding like a charter member of the Tinfoil Hat Club, don’t rule out some sort of Wag the Dog scenario that might prompt cancellation or curtailing the rest of the debates. These people will stop at nothing to gain/retain power.
I had not thought of wag the dog. You are correct.
A terrorist attack would not help Clinton, so what else could it be? Death/Serious injury to some important person could stall one debate but not all 3. Ebola type outbreak?
With six days to experiment, they have a chance of finding the drug cocktail that will keep her on her feet and coherent for 90 minutes - at least after a full day of rest.