"Were flattered by the comments from Gov. Weldand other people who have said good stuff aboutthe governor," he said.

Decision Not Surprising

Political analysts interviewed yesterday saidWeld's decision to drop out is not surprising,given the conservatism of the national RepublicanParty.

"The right-wing of the Republican Party seemsto be in the ascendancy," said Associate Professorof Government Michael G. Hagen. "It's just alittle difficult to imagine at this point amoderate Republican being able to win enoughdelegates to earn the nomination."

Weld's blend of fiscal conservatism and socialliberalism may not appeal to the Republicanactivists who tend to vote in primaries, saidMarkham Professor of Government H. Douglas Price.

"I think he would have had a hard time of it,which is why he's not a candidate," Price said."His economic conservatism would have appealed,but his social liberalism would have cost him alot of support among primary voters."

And Institute of Politics Fellow Chris Henick,former executive director of the RepublicanGovernors Association, said sitting governors havenot usually fared well in primaries.

"Bill Weld has apparently put both family andthe people of Massachusetts over any overridingambition," Henick said. "As a sitting governor,particularly one that's been re-elected by anoverwhelming mandate, it's always hard to run anational campaign."

Local Impact

Weld's decision not to seek the presidency willlikely help the people of Massachusetts, saidState Rep. Alvin E. Thompson (D-Cambridge).

"This gives us more of a chance for him tostart dealing with our problems," Thompson said."There's so many unanswered questions. This willmake sure these things are addressed."

In particular, Thompson said he expects Weld totake a more active role in overseeing the state'seconomic development and in ensuring the successof the Central Artery project.

Henick agreed that Weld's decision not to runwill have an impact on the people ofMassachusetts.

"Certainly the people of Massachusetts willfeel that they're getting their money's worth,"Henick said. "Governor Weld has national statureand will continue to have that."

But Lou DiNatale, a political analyst at theMcCormack Institute for Public Affairs atUniversity of Massachusetts-Boston, said Weld'sdecision not to run will have no impact on localpolitics because he has already handed over manyday-to-day responsibilities to Lieutenant Gov. A.Paul Cellucci.