But there's no flag there today. The pole is broken, much like his confidence in the Iraq war.

Rollins, 57, is a self-described Army brat, son of a distinguished military veteran. He hesitates, though, when asked to evaluate the current conflict abroad. He starts, then stops again.

"I never thought it was going to be a quick fix," he said. "I believe we're there for a good reason, but I just really wish things were going better."

It's folks like Rollins that U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham hears from when he comes back to South Carolina.

It doesn't change Graham's resolve on the war. The state's senior senator said he believes the only way the United States could lose is by backing out early.

But during blunt questioning of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld at a congressional hearing Thursday, Graham acknowledged that he's concerned about the declining support back home.

"I'm here to tell you, sir, in the most patriotic state I can imagine, people are beginning to question," Graham told Rumsfeld. "And I don't think it's a blip on the radar screen. I think we have a chronic problem on our hands."

Graham's assessment, gathered from casual conversations with constituents, stirred firm backers of the war Friday as the state's stance on the conflict became a major topic of discussion.

His comments were particularly startling because it was the first time pro-war Republicans in Congress began to question military leaders.

But even more damaging, if his judgment is accurate, is that a flag-waving, red-blooded state such as South Carolina is turning against the Iraq war.

"When you find a state like South Carolina and a decline in support, you should be worried," said Bill Moore, a political science professor at the College of Charleston. "It's not a loss of support for the military. It's a decline in support for the policy."

Moore said that support traditionally is higher in South Carolina -- and the rest of the South -- than the rest of the nation because of the strong military tradition and presence.

A national Gallup poll completed earlier this month found that 60 percent of those asked believe the military should begin withdrawing some troops from Iraq.

An Associated Press-Ipsos poll this month found support for President Bush's handling of the war at an all-time low of 41 percent.

No poll data are available for South Carolina and not everyone in the state feels that it's losing faith in the war.

Danny Riddle of Walterboro was adamant that it was too soon to back out.

"We're getting closer and closer to the end, but I think everyone needs to understand that this objective needs to be achieved," the 52-year-old said. "If we walk away from this now, everyone will be sorry down the road."

The state's Republican Party chairman said more South Carolinians feel this way than Graham thinks.

"The sense I get is that people certainly support President Bush and his efforts on the war on terror," said Katon Dawson. "I think that Lindsey is exactly right that this is one of the most patriotic states, and I know everywhere I go President Bush is beloved.

"I am not trying to contradict the senator -- that's just what I see," he said.

Graham was unavailable for comment Friday to elaborate on his sense that support is waning.

Leaving the hearing Thursday, he said he hears it most often from military communities.

"People with relatives in the military are very worried about the war," he told The Post and Courier.

A spokesman said Friday that Graham's comments were based on "his general sense" from folks and not a scientific survey.

"Senator Graham travels around the state and this is something he hears more and more," said Kevin Bishop.

Rollins understands the senator's concerns.

"I think that's what Sen. Graham meant, that people are frustrated," Rollins said. "It's just very frustrating that we're not doing better than we are."

ON THE NET

Read the complete transcript.
Transcript from Sen. Lindsey Graham's speech Thursday at a Senate Armed Services hearing