The Note: Top Political Stories of the Day

— -- COUNTDOWN TO ELECTION DAY: 22 days

Melania Trump Says Attacks on Bill Clinton Are Justified: 'They're Asking For It.' Melania Trump, the wife of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, spoke out today, calling her husband’s attacks on former President Bill Clinton a fair response to what the Democrats “started.” As the New York businessman continues to assail Hillary Clinton’s husband on the campaign trail, Melania Trump was asked in an interview by Fox News’ Ainsley Earhardt if Bill Clinton’s past behavior was relevant. “They’re asking for it,” Melania Trump said, ABC’s ADAM KELSEY and VERONICA STRACQUALURSI note. http://abcn.ws/2ee6ZT5

Trump Attacks Republicans Who Dare to Minimize His 'Rigged' Election Rhetoric. Donald Trump's unsubstantiated claims of a fraudulent election process have created a problem not only for members of his own party but also even for his own ticket. While the Republican presidential nominee railed against alleged "rigging" or a "rigged" election more than 20 times this weekend, some of his fellow Republicans — starting with his running mate — are trying to tamp down the rhetoric. ABC’s MEGHAN KENEALLY has more: http://abcn.ws/2dZs9Gj

Where the Florida Senate Race Stands Ahead of Tonight’s Debate Moderated by ABC’s Jonathan Karl. Now, following his failed attempt to emerge from the 17-candidate field in the Republican presidential primary, Marco Rubio finds himself in the thick of a re-election fight for his political career.The man standing between Rubio and another term in the Senate is Rep. Patrick Murphy, a moderate who defeated progressive Rep. Alan Grayson in a nasty primary with the help of endorsements from party leaders like President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. ABC’s BENJAMIN SIEGEL and ADAM KELSEY have more on the debate between the two Senate candidates: http://abcn.ws/2edY58l

FBI and State Dept. Deny Working Together to Declassify Clinton Email. The State Department and FBI are categorically denying that they negotiated any "quid pro quo" to declassify a Benghazi-related email found on Hillary Clinton’s private email server, as newly-released FBI documents show what was allegedly discussed. The new documents, which are detailed notes of FBI interviews during the investigation into Clinton's private server, further describe how the State Department "pressured" other agencies into declassifying emails those agencies believed should have been kept secret. ABC’s MIKE LEVINE and JUSTIN FISHEL have more: http://abcn.ws/2ebLDYz

TALES FROM THE TRAIL

ABC’s LIZ KREUTZ: With just about three weeks to go before the election, the Clinton camp is stepping up its efforts in Arizona. During a press call today, Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook announced that Michelle Obama, Chelsea Clinton and Bernie Sanders will campaign in the traditionally red state this week. In addition, Mook said, the campaign is increasing its TV ad buy and mail advertising in Arizona by $2 million. This is in addition to a six-figure ad buy the campaign announced in the Grand Canyon State in early September. So far, Clinton has no plans to travel to the state herself..” Hillary Clinton's husband Bill Clinton was the last Democrat to carry the state in 1996. http://abcn.ws/2e1PYPX

ABC’s INES DE LA CUETARA: Mike Pence said during a campaign rally in Mason, Ohio that he has "no doubt the national media is trying to rig this election in Hillary Clinton's favor" before encouraging the crowd to get involved and volunteer at polling stations on election day. Yesterday on the Sunday shows Pence insisted he and Trump would accept the outcome of the election, but today he made no mention of that.

ABC’s LIZ KREUTZ: A few weeks back, Hillary Clinton did an interview on Snapchat. The full interview will air tomorrow. In the interview, Clinton says that she wanted to be a journalist in middle school. When asked what kind of person she was in college, especially on the weekends, she says: "I was dancing. We called them mixers in those days. Men and boys and girls and women mixing." In another clip, Peter Hamby from Snapchat also appears to interview HRC's best friend from growing up. He asks her if Clinton had boyfriends. "She always had really smart guys who were also jocks," she says.

AD ROUNDUP with ABC’s SHUSHANNAH WALSHE

Clinton Compares Trump to Famous Bullies. The Clinton campaign released a new TV ad today titled “America’s Bully.” It compares Trump to famous bullies including Scott Farkus from A Christmas Story, Nurse Ratched from One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, Biff from Back to the Future, Mick from Teen Wolf, Johnny Lawrence from Karate Kid and Regina George from Mean Girls.. The ad ends with an exchange between Clinton and a 10-year old girl at an Iowa town hall about bullying. The ad will air as part of an already existing ad buy in Florida, Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. WATCH: http://bit.ly/2dVTyaG

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

"So you're telling me that the candidate that snorted his way through the first two debates is accusing the other candidate of taking drugs? That's a curious development in the campaign." -- White House press secretary Josh Earnest

HAPPENING TONIGHT (all times Eastern):

--7:00 PM - ABC News’ Jonathan Karl will serve as the lead moderator in the first debate between Sen. Marco Rubio (R) and Rep. Patrick Murphy (D), taking place at the University of Central Florida’s Fairwinds Alumni Centerin Orlando. ABC News will partner with ABC affiliate WFTV, POLITICO Florida, and COX Media Group radio stations WDBO and WOKV. WFTV anchors Greg Warmoth and Nancy Alvarez and Politico’s Marc Caputo will join Karl in asking questions. The hour-long debate will air on ABC affiliates across Florida and other local television and radio stations. ABC News will live stream the debates live at www.abcnews.com/live

--7:00 PM - Donald Trump holds a campaign rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin, House Speaker Paul Ryan’s home state.

--8:00 PM - Melania Trump’s interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper airs.

WHO’S TWEETING?