Net Results

Barack Obama may have been bruised a bit by the testy exchanges in which he exchanged with Hillary Clinton in the run-up to the South Carolina primary. But engaging Obama in a prolonged political brawl appears to be a risky strategy for Clinton and her chief surrogate, husband and former President Bill Clinton, given Obama's projected easy victory in that contest.

According to CNN exit poll analysis, about 6 in 10 Democrats who voted in the South Carolina primary said Bill Clinton's campaigning was important in how they ultimately decided to vote. Among those voters, according to CNN, 47 percent went for Barack Obama, 38 percent went for Hillary Clinton and 14 percentvoted for John Edwards.

On the issues who was to blame for the increased nastiness quotient in the campaign, about half of the exit poll repsondents blamed Obama and Hillary Clinton equally. But Clinton took more blame among the respondents who said they held one candidate more responsible: 21 percent pointed the finger at her, to only 6 percent who blamed Obama.

The Clinton camp now faced a crucial choice, with just 10 days to go for the crucial Feb. 5 Super Tuesday primaries: Do they tone down the attacks on Obama's record and credibility, or ratchet it up?

If you have a thought about which way they will, or should, go, please share it with us by e-mailing to politicscomments@cq.com.