By Rachel Kapochunas, CQ Staff

Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York was on the offensive in Tuesday night’s make‑or‑break debate, sparring with Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois but also with the debate hosts. It was the last one before the crucial March 4 primaries in Ohio, Texas, Vermont and Rhode Island.

The moderators, NBC’s Brian Williams and Tim Russert, immediately jumped into the Cleveland State University event by replaying recent attacks the candidates made against each other, prompting both candidates to defend their positions on health care, trade and campaign tactics, among other issues.

Both candidates seemed to try to be cordial throughout the disagreements, but it was Obama who earned audience applause at one point for deferring to his opponent.

Four hundred forty‑four delegates will be at stake on Tuesday. The two candidates are currently separated by just under 100 delegates, according to the Associated Press. Neither could win enough on Tuesday to secure the nomination.

Clinton’s campaign had been eager for her to appear in a national debate with Obama in advance of the March 4 primaries, to try to regain some of her earlier momentum. Her husband, former President Bill Clinton, has said she needs to win both Texas and Ohio to win the nomination.

The following are CQ Politics’ Mosts and Bests from the debate:

• Most Baiting: NBC. At the outset of the debate, NBC recapped the recent attacks the candidates made against each other. Williams asked Clinton if there has been a difference in her “tone” since the candidates met last week during a friendly Texas debate and then shared some moments of cordiality, and the past week’s attacks. The network aired a clip of Clinton denouncing Obama campaign fliers in Ohio which she said inaccurately portrayed her health care plan and her record on the North American Free Trade Agreement. “Shame on you!” Clinton said in the clip.

Clinton chalked the change in tone up to a competitive race. “Well, this is a contested campaign,” Clinton said, adding that she was “disturbed” by Obama’s campaign tactics.

NBC then noted a photo of Obama in traditional Kenyan dress that has been circulated on the Internet and was rumored to have been sent out by the Clinton campaign. Clinton said she had no knowledge of the photo and Obama said that he believed her “at her word.”

•Most discussed issue: Health care.

After a lengthy back-and-forth on who has a better universal health care plan, Williams noted that the candidates just had a “16 minute discussion on health care.”

Obama faults Clinton’s plan because it mandates that everyone have health insurance and Clinton argues that Obama’s plan leaves out millions of Americans. Each argued that the other has misrepresented their opponent’s plan.

But in the end, both candidates have the same general goal. “I believe in universal health care as does Sen. Clinton,” Obama said.

• Most contentious issue for the Ohio audience: Trade

Obama and other critics have hit out at Clinton for her past support for NAFTA, signed into law by Bill Clinton. Ohio lost many manufacturing jobs in the past decade and many workers believe NAFTA is at least partially to blame. Clinton has consistently stated during the current campaign that she finds fault with NAFTA, and repeated that opinion Tuesday.

“We do need to fix NAFTA. It is not working,” Clinton said.

But Tuesday’s moderators and Obama jumped at her for past statements. Russert noted several past instances when Clinton praised the agreement and Obama chimed in.

“I think it’s inaccurate for Sen. Clinton to say she’s always opposed NAFTA,” Obama said. “I think that Sen. Clinton has shifted positions on this.”

Russert pressed both candidates to answer whether they would end NAFTA if elected, but both candidates demurred, each saying that renegotiating the deal would be the path to a trade solution.

• Best Dodge-Obama: On Campaign Finance

Russert pressed Obama to adhere to his signed pledge to accept public financing for the general election asking Obama whether he would “keep his word.”

Obama said that he is not yet the nominee, so he can’t presently make that decision, but that if he was to win the Democratic nomination, he would then sit down with the (presumptive) GOP nominee, Arizona Sen. John McCain , and “make sure we have a system that is fair for both sides.” (Watch the video)

• Best Dodge-Clinton: On Tax Returns

Russert posed questions to Clinton regarding the release of joint tax returns she holds with her husband, asking what is the former president “hiding” by withholding the documentation.

Clinton said that she will release those documents when she becomes the nominee.

Russert asked if she could do it before March 4, but Clinton said she would be unable to complete the process by then, adding “I’m a little busy right now. I hardly have time to sleep.” (Watch the video)

• Most pushback on the debate itself: Clinton.

Early on, Clinton complained about the debate format, saying “Well, could I just point out that, in the last several debates, I seem to get the first question all the time.” She went on to say “I don’t mind” but added “If anybody saw ‘Saturday Night Live,’ you know, maybe we should ask Barack if he’s comfortable and needs another pillow,“ attempting humor to criticize what she believes to be lopsided treatment in the debates.

Later, Clinton and then Obama answered questions on Mid East troop levels. When Obama finished his answer, Clinton attempted to jump in with her additional thoughts, but Brian Williams wasn’t having any of it. He noted he was trying to go to a commercial break and sternly said, “Television doesn’t stop.” Clinton attempted again to speak and Williams asked her “Can you hold that thought?” as they cut to a commercial.

• Best Use of Deference to Get Ahead: Obama

Moderators asked Obama to address his endorsement from Louis Farrakhan, head of the Nation of Islam who has generated controversy for making anti-Semitic comments. Obama said that he has “consistently denounced” Farrakhan’s anti-Semitism and no formal or informal support has been arranged with Farrakhan.

Clinton interjected that when she ran for Senate, she “rejected” support from an anti-Semitic Independent party, noting that she was “willing to take that stand.”

Russert asked if Clinton was suggesting Obama is not doing the same thing, to which she responded, “No.”

But Obama took it a step further, turning Clinton’s words back on her.

“If the word ‘reject’ Sen. Clinton feels is stronger than the word ‘denounce,’ then I’m happy to concede the point. And I would reject and denounce,” Obama said to wide applause from an audience that had remained virtually silent throughout the debate.

Video Clips

• Most Unique Question: Which vote would you take back?

• Most Important Regional Issue: NAFTA

• Craig Crawford’s Take on the Debate: Webcam Edition