In what promises to be a heated showdown, the third Republican presidential debate is scheduled for Wednesday night at 8 p.m., putting the spotlight on the top contenders vying for the opportunity to challenge Donald Trump. Although the global interest may be lackluster, millions of Americans are expected to tune in as five candidates compete in Miami, showcasing their policies and engaging in fierce exchanges.

To qualify for this pivotal debate, candidates were required to register at least 4 percent in either two national polls or one national poll and two polls from separate early-voting states, including Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina. Vivek Ramaswamy and Chris Christie managed to meet this threshold just in time, securing their positions on the debate stage. Unfortunately, Doug Burgum fell short in areas outside of Iowa, keeping him out of the debate. Asa Hutchinson, once again, did not meet the qualifying criteria, while Mike Pence decided to withdraw from the race.

Joining Ramaswamy and Christie on the debate stage will be Tim Scott, Nikki Haley, and Ron DeSantis. As the stakes rise, it is anticipated that the final five candidates will use this platform to not only introduce new policy ideas but also fiercely target one another. Ramaswamy, who has seen a significant decline in favorability ratings, is expected to adopt an assertive approach, aiming to be more "annoying" than ever before, according to one of his advisers.

Another candidate looking to make an impact is Tim Scott, whose political fortunes have experienced a sharp decline. Scott plans to criticize fellow South Carolinian Nikki Haley, the only candidate who has witnessed a modest rise in popularity following her exposure on the national stage. Scott intends to challenge Haley's conservative credentials, drawing on his earlier debate stage comments that likened the Great Society policies to slavery's impact on the Black community.

Recent polling trends suggest that Haley is on track to surpass DeSantis for the second position. This development holds potential significance, especially considering the possible consequences for presumptive nominee Donald Trump. While most national polls have been favorable for Trump thus far, the possibility of his legal troubles leading to imprisonment may result in a significant shift among voters. In such a scenario, Republicans could be forced to reconsider their support, paving the way for another candidate, possibly against Joe Biden.

Following this third debate, there is only one more scheduled before the Iowa caucus, which is set to take place on January 15. With this timeline in mind, it's likely that at least two of the remaining five candidates will bid farewell to their presidential aspirations. Supporters of Ramaswamy or Scott are urged to watch the entire two-hour debate, as opportunities for further appearances may be limited.

As the competition intensifies, Wednesday's debate promises to be a pivotal moment for the GOP contenders, offering them one last chance to make a lasting impression on voters before the upcoming crucial primaries.