Political rivals downplay Hillary Clinton’s ‘best week,’ say she’ll stumble in time

Presidential nomination rivals tried their best Sunday to poke holes in Hillary Rodham Clinton’s “best week” narrative, arguing that her political record will topple her front-runner status even as they refused to label her an “enemy” or say she outright rebuffed Republicans during last week’s Capitol Hill showdown.

Mrs. Clinton is relishing praise for her recent performance in the Democratic candidates debate and her ability to withstand 11 hours of questioning from a House panel investigating the 2012 attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya.

In addition, Vice President Joseph J. Biden decided not to challenge Mrs. Clinton for the presidential nomination, and Democratic challenger Jim Webb dropped out of the race to consider an independent run.

Watching her momentum, the one Democratic challenger giving her a tough time — Sen. Bernard Sanders of Vermont — toughened his attacks on Mrs. Clinton’s records on trade and gay rights and her approach to Wall Street’s powerful institutions.

“With all the economic and political power that these banks have, I think you have to break them up,” Mr. Sanders told CNN’s “State of the Union.” That has been my view for a very, very long time. That is not Hillary Clinton’s view.”

Meanwhile, Republican candidates said American voters ultimately will tire of the Clinton dynasty.

“People may think she had a good week. I think this is the week it was proven that she lied about Benghazi,” Sen. Marco Rubio, Florida Republican, said on “State of the Union.”

Mrs. Clinton’s polarizing effect is sure to intensify as the contest progresses. For now, her rivals are careful not to jab too hard as she enjoys a run of positive reviews.

“I don’t consider her an enemy. I mean, right now, she’s an opponent. I don’t consider her an enemy,” Republican front-runner Donald Trump said of Mrs. Clinton.

Rep. Trey Gowdy, the South Carolina Republican who chairs the House Select Committee on Benghazi, wavered when he was asked whether Mrs. Clinton cooperated during Thursday’s marathon hearing and her email arrangement at the State Department.

“She answered the questions, and I would note, I don’t think I ever cut her off,” Mr. Gowdy said. He did say, however, that Mrs. Clinton’s answers were inaccurate at times.

For now, Mrs. Clinton is relishing the moment, using a high-profile Iowa appearance Sunday at the state’s Democratic Party Jefferson Jackson Dinner to pitch a platform that is easy on the middle class and tough on the gun lobby.

The former first lady, senator and secretary of state also toggled between praise for President Obama and Mr. Biden, who solidified her front-runner status by giving way, and professing her independence.

“You see, we Democrats are offering real solutions, like President Obama has done for the past 6½ years,” Mrs. Clinton said. “And by his side every step of the way has been Vice President Joe Biden. He has fought passionately for middle-class families and middle-class values.”

Moments later, she said: “I’m not running for my husband’s third term, and I’m not running for Barack Obama’s third term. I’m running for my first term. And I’m running as a proud Democrat.”

Eyeing a general election matchup next year, Mr. Trump said a win for Mrs. Clinton would spell doom no matter how she runs.

“Our country’s in bad shape,” he told ABC’s “This Week.” “And if we have Hillary, it will just get worse.”