Memminger Elementary School pupil Shkur Francis, a pint-size political guru who awed many people in November with his seemingly endless knowledge of political trivia, has become a semi-official adviser to South Carolina Education Superintendent Inez Tenenbaum.

The two talk at least three times a week. He even has her cell telephone number. They exchanged birthday calls and Christmas gifts (perfume for her; history books for him).

"She's a great lady," Shkur told schoolmates Wednesday when Tenenbaum stopped by for a brief visit.

During Tenenbaum's unsuccessful run for the U.S. Senate last year against Republican Jim DeMint, Shkur, 11, held political court on the steps of the Dock Street Theatre in downtown Charleston.

He dazzled Tenenbaum, retiring Sen. Fritz Hollings and several other ranking Democrats with a seemingly limitless grasp of historical facts.

"You're Fritz Hollings," he told the white-haired senator. "You were the first governor in a Southern state to endorse John Kennedy for president."Francis went on to name in order all eight presidents Hollings served under in Washington, starting with Lyndon B. Johnson in 1966 and ending with George W. Bush.

From that point on, Shkur and Tenenbaum have been fast friends.

"He calls and wants to talk politics," Tenenbaum said.

He wants her to run for governor in 2006, but she's planning to seek a third term as education superintendent.

Shkur isn't keen on Republican Gov. Mark Sanford. "Inez Tenenbaum has a brain; Mark Sanford does not," he said.

Shkur, president of the Memminger school council, has his own plans to run for high office at some date, but for now he is happy to be the unofficial pollster at school, including rating favorite teachers.

On at least one occasion he's been caught during math class hiding history books inside the cover of his math book.

The faculty sees a born politician.

"He's a smooth talker," said Principal Diane Ross.