Here in the United States, New York Senator Hillary Clinton is drawing criticism from Republicans after comparing their control over Congress to a plantation.

• Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton: “When you look at the way the House of Representatives has been run, it has been run like a plantation, and you know what I’m talking about.”

: Republicans immediately denounced Clinton for making what House Speaker Dennis Hastert called a “racist” comment. But Al Sharpton, who hosted Clinton’s speech, defended the remark, saying he had already made the same comparison. During the speech, Clinton also lashed out at the Bush administration.

• Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton : “I predict to you that this administration will go down in history as one of the worst that has ever governed our country.”