If there is any historical reason Liberians today regard poll politics as tele-guided and controlled by invisible hands, it is the consistency with which incumbent presidents won "landslide" or "volcanic" victories over contenders in the past. It is also the certainty with which defeated contenders must go into exile to protect dear life. Liberians had thought they would be spared the nightmare of choosing between another incumbent and a horde of contenders, but it is now clear that they will not. President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has thrown down the gauntlet and the act resonates with one of the most powerful official in Washington – Secretary of State Hilary Clinton. With this, observers say, the key question is, "Is Clinton's endorsement an act of female solidarity or does it forebode the support of the Obama Administration?" The Analyst, reports. 

US Secretary of State Hilary Rodham Clinton has expressed delight over President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf's decision to seek reelection in 2011.

Secretary of State Clinton made the revelation, which many say has political implication for Liberia, during a town hall meeting with reporters and employees of the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C., to commemorate her first year in office.

"I was delighted to hear that Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf said she will stand for reelection. She has been one of the champions on this issue in her political and governmental career," she said regarding the efforts of the Sirleaf Administration to eradicate gender-based violence and inequality in postwar Liberia.

Mrs. Clinton's comments on President Sirleaf's reelection bid came in response to a reporter's question regarding what the US State Department would do to respond to gender-based violence around the world vis-à-vis the UN Security Council resolution on gender-based violence.

But observers say US opinion at any level is so weighty in Liberia that a passing statement from the #3 man in the Obama Administration has as much political implication as an official statement.

So the question many are asking regarding the Secretary of State's comments, which came barely 24 hours after the President announced her intention to stand for re-election in Liberia's 2011 presidential elections is, "Is Clinton's endorsement an act of female solidarity or does it forebode the support of the Obama Administration?"

A short survey conducted by The Analyst on the question yesterday revealed that while many say the Secretary's comment would have no impact on US relation to elections in Liberia, some say it would be foolhardy to ignore the handwriting on the wall.

"Mrs. Clinton was simply saying that President Sirleaf has been at the forefront of the fight against gender-based violence and discrimination against women. Since the question was about the United States' role in the future, she was simply saying that she is happy that President Sirleaf is seeking reelection in order to continue her role," said Martina Soppy of Duala, on Bushrod Island.

Martina, who said, she is an advocate for women equality with their male counterparts, said she too supported President Sirleaf's re-run because it would ensure that "this very important aspect of our social life is addressed and the mentality changed against women".

She said since Mrs. Clinton was not addressing elections and candidates in Liberia, any connection in that direction about her support or US support would be illogical and unnecessary contention over nothing.

"It is this kind of jumping into issues and taking conjectures to be facts that can lead to unnecessary suspicion and allegations of vote rigging. It is high time we learn to have confidence in our electoral system and stop looking outside for individuals who are about to cheat. President Sirleaf is qualified; she has the charisma and the expertise. She does not need external support to win elections in Liberia. She did not seek support to announce her bid and she will not be seeking one now that she is in the race," said Martina who also said she is a female activist for the UP.

Not all though, shared Martina's views, which critics believed were based "purely on feminine solidarity and blind support for the President".

"Where there is smoke, there is fire. The US has been meddling in our elections from the days of Joseph Jenkins Roberts to Charles Taylor. Clinton is not a private citizen of the US; she is an official responsible for what the US makes of the policies, politics, governments, and economies of nations outside its borders. So her talks are not offhanded; they are not idle talks. They mean something significant about the 2011 presidential elections and the Liberian opposition better be wary," said Thomas Krah of Po River.

Krah said it was not unlikely that Mrs. Clinton's delight would be made manifest in Liberia's electoral politics given the US government's financial and technical role in the conduct of elections in Liberia.

"The State Department oversees all the support Liberia is getting from the US for electoral purposes. So, if the head of that department is delighted in one candidate, who can argue that the Obama Administration will turn the other way?" Krah wondered.

He said while it was hard to dismiss the US President's recent declaration of support for civil transition in Africa from one government to another as evidence of good governance, a Clinton choice for president in the US' pilot nation in Sub-Saharan Africa would carry the day without argument.

"After all, the US is not demanding transition for its own sake. They want to improve the living conditions of the people and to improve delivery. If, in the sight of Mrs. Clinton President Sirleaf has met these criteria, there would be no argument," he said.

The debate over the Secretary of State's statement being a foreboder or idle talk may have its place, but there are suggestions that such debate may come to naught in this early time.

"Things could shift. There is a long time between now and November 2011; anything can happen. One good thing is the State Department chief's comments relate to commitment to a global policy in favor of women, not personalities. Who knows, another candidate could emerge stronger than President Sirleaf on the gender issue. Choices could change and new alliances charted," said one analyst.

Meanwhile an Executive Mansion press release regarding Mrs. Clinton's comments say the US Foreign Service Chief made specific reference to the pioneering role played by President Sirleaf in combating gender-based violence.

"Indeed, at different institutions in Liberia, including the Ministry of Gender and Development, the Liberia National Police, as well as the Special Court, the Government of Mrs. Sirleaf has created special programs for the protection of women and children who bore the brunt of the violence of the 14-year civil war," said the release signed by Presidential Press Secretary Cyrus Badio.

It said another topic raised by Secretary of State Clinton during her January 26 town-hall meeting centered on gender-based violence and recent events, among them the violence in Conakry.

It then recalled how the Liberian President played a quiet but effective role in finding a peaceful outcome to the political tension that was rising in Guinea, especially after the violence that led to the deaths of hundreds of people and a spate of gender-based violence following a peaceful demonstration in Conakry last September.

Secretary of State Clinton added that President Sirleaf has "been one of the champions on [the issue of gender-based violence] in her political and government career."

"The Liberian leader traveled to Guinea and Burkina Faso and, along with leaders of the sub-region, brokered a peace that is so far on course and should lead to the first free and fair democratic elections in the history of Guinea," the release said.

Moments after the President announced her intention to seek a second term as she delivered her Annual Message to the National Legislature, according to the release, thousands of jubilant supporters took to the streets to welcome the decision.

General and presidential elections are scheduled for 2011, and would mark the first time that Liberians have a chance to carry out a peaceful transition from one elected government to another.

Announcing a candidacy that has long been the source of speculation, President Sirleaf declared, "I will be a formidable candidate."