Speaker Newt Gingrich is under fire from his conservative flank.

While the cardinals have imposed a news media ban on themselves, groups representing the church's liberal and conservative flanks are expected to try to raise issues here this week that they hope the cardinals will consider in the conclave.

Mr. Gregg, who was a senior advisor in the failed gubernatorial campaign of Bret D. Schundler, is expected to gain support from the conservative flank of the party.

By losing the nomination nobly and narrowly, he could assume leadership of the party's conservative flank.

The question is whether rank-and-file party members and particularly those on the Republicans' conservative flank will follow the script.

Republican leaders will still have to contend with their conservative flank.

Seen through the other end of the telescope, the results also seemed to demonstrate the limited influence of the conservative flank.

Governor Wilson, anxious to cover his conservative flank as he runs for President, rejected the idea of any tax hike, or even authorizing the county to carry out the deed.

If Mr. Franks wins the primary, he will have to embrace the conservative flank delicately while not alienating the moderates.

There is no question that Mr. Schundler courted the conservative flank of the state Republican Party to ensure a healthy margin of victory in the primary.