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This poll underscores the underlying determination to succeed. What it is doing is not immediately clear since we approach it from the standpoint of "liberal vs. "conservative."

A better breakdown of the population is from a recent cultural survey (on values). This is 22 page report is based on a comprehensive survey of American religious and other values.

The Report begins by classifying values groups into: (1)Orthodox; (2)Progressive; (3) And, Independent.

Orthodox represents about a third of the population. These individuals have a basic, religious outlook on life and they overwhelmingly believe in God. They wish to see government policies mirror religious values. They are strong believers in right and wrong and see most social issues in black and white terms.

Progressives represent one sixth of the populationand are uniformly opposed to religious values in government. While 53% believe in God 33% do not. Progressives believe in situational ethics and they see moral issues in shades of gray.

Independents represent about one half of the population. They do not fully accept orthodox or progressive views but they tend to side with the orthodox on questions of politics and sexual morality. They are more situational in the way they view moral issues even though 93% of them believe in God. Their opinions frequently lean towards Progressive in matters of honesty and character.

The battle is over the independents. With Giuliani leading in the FR poll, one can easily guess that those voting want to appeal to the "independents." No one can win without out them and while the "orthodox" out number the "progressives" this is an insufficient approach.

Intuitively, those voting for Giuliani are making the best choice in a bad situation. While those claiming we should ruthlessly limit this choice to a 100% true conservative believer, it is clear that such a person will not win.

Regardless of he hype, President Reagan voted and acted from the center with a conservative attitude. He changed none of the social issues, increased taxes on Social Security and Medicare but reduced and then increased taxes on the upper income bracket. In a word, he was a wonderful pragmatic conservative.