41.   But few are willing to speak for attribution about the future because, they said, the mayor is a lame duck with a sharp bite.

42.   But it is not as if many New Yorkers are going to be surprised to learn that their mayor is pugilistic.

43.   But if the mayor was still at odds with other elected officials, he had in defeat won acclaim from city residents.

44.   But maybe the mayor is onto something.

45.   But Monday, board president Carol A. Gresser brushed those conditions aside, saying that the mayor was in no position to dictate terms.

46.   But once the mayor was out of earshot, some past supporters said they would not vote for him again.

47.   But since the mayor is up for re-election this year, the commercials amount to a use of public funds for incumbent self-promotion.

48.   But that Republican mayor was among the many boycotting the affair, and some of those who did attend were angry.

49.   But now, the mayor was as powerful as before.

50.   But once a mayor is in charge, his energies would be enlisted in behalf of the schools, not against them.