But he said when he needed someone to step forward to introduce Social Security reform or tax code changes that called for an end to the Internal Revenue Service, “Lindsey was right there with me.”

The Greenville lawmaker said anyone who feels as strongly about an issue as Graham should be lauded.

“I’d much rather have that type of person working with me than someone who doesn’t believe anything,” DeMint said. “Lindsey is a great teammate.”

Graham of Seneca is the populist of the two, the expansive, outspoken member who is going to find center stage no matter where he serves.

DeMint, the policy wonk, is most happy working on a couple of ideas with a couple of people behind closed doors.

If he were not in the U.S. Senate, it wouldn’t matter to him that much, friends say, as long as he could be involved in policymaking at a conservative think tank somewhere.

“Ideas are more powerful than people,” DeMint said.

DeMint is a safe Republican vote, tending to be ideologically conservative on all issues. He’s predictable. Seldom does he take risks, observed Francis Marion University professor Neal Thigpen, a GOP activist.

On the other hand, Graham isn’t afraid to break with his party and President Bush on issues in which his background and experience tell him more careful scrutiny is needed.

“This type of personality, liberal or conservative, draws the attention of the media because he or she is seen as being a more critical thinker and a more knowledgeable political figure,” said College of Charleston analyst Bill Moore.

Graham has experienced a spectacular rise to prominence in Washington. His name has risen quickly in the nation’s consciousness, often leaving DeMint in the dust.

Graham has had to endure criticism from his own party for appearing at news conferences with U.S. Sens. Hillary Clinton of New York, Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts and Charles Schumer of New York — Democrats all.

“Lindsey’s willingness as a conservative Southern Republican to extend an olive branch to Democrats on highly visible issues is what attracted a lot of attention for Graham,” said Winthrop University political scientist Scott Huffmon.

DeMint comes across as more focused and very measured.

Thus far, the two senators have differed on few substantive votes, namely the Central American Free Trade Agreement, medical liability reform and military detainees.

For example, DeMint opposed requiring the military to report on any clandestine facilities for terrorist suspects. Graham supported reporting.

Despite those differences, a study conducted last year by The State newspaper found Graham and DeMint voted the same way 91 percent of the time. The American Conservative Union gave both a 96 score for 2005.