While many people expected Clinton to go after Obama with verbal brickbats, it was not Slash And Burn Hillary that showed up.

Instead Hillary opted for the Reserved Candidate, who only tried a few barbs and didn't raise her voice in any direct confrontation with her opponent.

Fast forward to mid April and another debate.  Hillary is still trailing in this race and needs to make it trend more in her direction.

What do you do this time?  Is this your last, best chance to trip up Obama? 

(At this time, there a debate scheduled for April 27 in North Carolina, but only Clinton has accepted.)

Hillary was jeered after one of her debate one-liners in February and I'm sure the same could happen tonight if she unreels something corny at Obama.

On the other hand, being nice usually doesn't win.  Aiming for the throat or below the belt often does.  But that's probably best reserved for a 30-second ad right now.

Maybe the best route is to soft pedal the "bitter stuff" - or refer to it without really mentioning it outright.  And don't bring it up.  You know the ABC panel will do it for you, so don't look desperate in the process.

Back in February, Hillary confounded a lot of people by not trying to chop off Obama's head in the last two debates.  It worked out okay, considering that she then won three of the four primaries on March 4.

We'll see tonight if she chooses that route again tonight.