The latest opinion poll has confirmed that, as we already knew, a considerable gap exists between nationalist and unionist perceptions.
However, yesterday's News Letter survey threw up some intriguing suggestions about future political developments.
It indicated that, by a narrow overall majority, more people across Northern Ireland favour an immediate return to devolved government than the maintenance of direct rule.
Most nationalists strongly back a cross-party Stormont administration – and more than a quarter of unionists feel the same way.
This is a striking revelation, as it is difficult to detect a single unionist elected representative who has taken such a stance publicly.
If the IRA was to declare that it would never again use weapons under any circumstances – a position it has been edging towards – the poll said that a clear majority of unionists would support the restoration of devolution.
The Irish and British governments can take encouragement from this response as they intensify their attempts to break the deadlock.
Those who are convinced that changes at the top of the Ulster Unionist Party would facilitate progress may be surprised by the poll's verdict on individual politicians.
David Trimble was endorsed by 31% of unionists as their best available leader, with Jeffrey Donaldson narrowly behind on 26%.
Ian Paisley, whose real popularity is almost invariably underestimated by surveys, trailed back on 11% with Sir Reg Empey a distant fourth on 8%.
One of the most positive findings of all was that satisfaction levels among nationalists over the new policing structures had reached 57%.
Although exercises of this kind always throw up talking points, the only poll which really matters is the one which had been scheduled for next week but was unjustifiably postponed by Tony Blair.
The priority must be to persuade Mr Blair that a new date needs to be fixed for the Northern Ireland Assembly election with the minimum of delay.
