Marilyn E. Rollins, a delegate from Boston, said she has always found it difficult as a Republican in Boston, especially because she is also a Black woman. Rollins, who supports Weld, said the Republican governor's presence and the recent emergence of Republican representation hasn't improved her situation.

"With a Republican governor in office, it's still not significantly better for me," Rollins said. "I would like to see more people of color active in the Republican Party, because that might help do away with the racism that still sits in the city."

Other delegates said the changes in Massachusetts politics haven't affected them. Mary Rogeness, a delegate from Longmeadow, said her part of the state has traditionally been a Republican one. "But it's good to see the party prevailing elsewhere too," Rogeness said.

Jefferson said she has never found it hard to stand out as a Republican in Massachusetts because she is "not influenced by what others do or say."

The Massachusetts delegates who did say it is now easer to be Republican, attribute much of Weld's success to the increasing number of Republican in the State House. "Not only do we have a Republican governor, but we also have the senators to sustain the vetoes," Tisei said.

State Rep. Augusta Hornblower said she had been "waiting all along for Governor Weld." And she said that now, with the addition of more Republican legislators, the state party can accomplish more of its goals.

"Now it's piece of cake. Our message has been correct all along: We can turn it around," Hornblower said." "One party has been the rule in Massachusetts for so long, but now we have the balance we need for open debate."

Hornblower and many others said that if President Bush had the similar balance in the U.S. legislature as Weld has in Massachusetts, a "cooperative congress," he would be able to make more progress--and he would have waltzed through the November election instead of enduring the dogfight with Clinton.

Blaming a Democratic Congress for Bush's problems with domestic matters, Massachusetts Republicans like Jerry Robbins said they think Bush will have a tough time coming back from his deficit in the current polls.

"I'd like to see us all walk out of here on Thursday with a lot of unity," said Robbins, who traveled to the convention from Danvers to help Weld. "We have good men up there, but the campaign is still lagging. I just hope [James] Baker will help turn it around."

The majority of the Massachusetts stronghold here this week want Bush for "Four more Years," and have swept their fears under their hotel beds. Many said they are confident that the convention will send Bush back to the top of the polls and secure his reelection. Margaret Dwyer, an alternate from Wakefield, said she heard a poll on TV Tuesday morning that showed Bush is "already closing the gap."

"We're going to do it in November," Dwyer said "It looks like the president is going to pull off one of those great Celtics comebacks."