This paper uses Condition C reconstruction to argue that a raising analysis must be available for relative clauses, and suggests that pronoun strength and focus may be responsible for variability in Condition C reconstruction judgements. First we provide some experimental evidence that there is reconstruction for Condition C in English finite relative clauses. Then we present introspective judgements on English and French infinitival relative clauses, which fit a general pattern whereby Condition C reconstruction effects are clearer with silent pronouns. We suggest that the differing strength of reconstruction effects is related to pronoun strength, in that overt pronouns have the potential to bear focus. When they do, Condition C is obviated via the structure of focal meaning. This gives rise to the hypothesis, to be tested in future work, that varying judgements on Condition C reconstruction in finite relative clauses and questions might arise from the pronoun being read as focused.