"I'm concerned about the way the national and state Republicans are going," he said.

A third boost for the President has come from the national Republicans' somewhat ambiguous stand on the environment.

There was at least one major sign last week that national Republicans are prepared to take the race seriously.

I am the last person the national Republicans would ask to speak.

Having the national Republicans in town should be a plus, well beyond the oodles of dollars we anticipate.

This race is the No. 1 priority of national Republicans.

He is an ideological soul mate of the national Republicans' leadership.

But not many national Republicans have been as zealous or unsparing in the cause.

Drawing such a strong line between himself and the national Republicans will likely work in the mayor's favor, said political experts in both parties.

That was not the only sign of hope for national Republicans.