Andre Bauer is as active as any previous South Carolina lieutenant governor, prompting political observers to wonder what he’s up to.

“I haven’t seen any like him,” says state Sen. Tommy Moore, D-Aiken, who has observed his share of lieutenant governors in his 24 years in the General Assembly.

The office of lieutenant governor is insignificant in terms of power. It’s an office South Carolina could abolish and would not miss.

But Bauer, a self-promoter, is making something of it.

“He is using the office to enhance his profile and to increase his identity,” says College of Charleston political scientist Bill Moore.

Pundits and politicians suggest he’s gearing up to run for governor. They’re just not sure which year. Maybe 2006 or 2010?

“I’m flattered,” Bauer says.

When asked if he would challenge Gov. Mark Sanford, a fellow Republican, Bauer doesn’t give a direct answer.

Polls show Sanford’s job approval ratings to be sky high — well above 60 percent.

Others suggest Bauer is positioning himself in case Sanford doesn’t seek re-election.

“There’s so much talk out there that Sanford might not run again,” says Senate Democratic leader John Land of Manning. “Andre is aware of that and he is right at Sanford’s heels.”

Sanford isn’t saying what he will do.

There’s not much love lost between the Sanford and Bauer camps.

When Sanford spent two weeks at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama to fulfill his obligations as an Air Force reservist last spring, he declined to write a letter signing the governor’s duties over to Bauer.

Bauer later opposed Sanford’s top legislative initiative, which would have increased taxes on cigarettes while phasing out the state income tax. Bauer also has been known to speak harshly of the governor in private.

“What he’s doing is undermining the chief executive,” Moore says. “He certainly is not making friends in the governor’s office or within his own party.”

Bauer operates in a campaign mode constantly. It’s not unusual to see him walking around talking on two cell phones at the same time or busy signing birthday cards to constituents.

“He’s young, very ambitious, got a good sense of humor and certainly well liked by the public,” says state Sen. Arthur Ravenel, R-Charleston. “He’s just a ball of energy.”

Too much energy, sometimes.

Bauer was charged with reckless driving in a May traffic incident that ended with a police officer pulling a gun on him. The officer said Bauer got out of his truck and moved toward him in “an aggressive manner.”

The charge was dropped as he pleaded guilty to two lesser charges. He paid a fine for driving too fast for conditions and disregarding a traffic control device.

Mike Campbell, 35, son of former GOP Gov. Carroll Campbell, is considering running for lieutenant governor in 2006.

“This is something I have strongly considered before, but the timing didn’t seem right,” Campbell says. “But I have been approached by several people about doing this. It seems the encouragement gets louder and louder everywhere I go.

“If I do throw my hat into the ring, it will be a concerted Campbell effort, and I will run the hardest race we can.”

Paula Harper Bethea, former chairwoman of the S.C. Chamber of Commerce, says the business community would welcome a Campbell race. “That’s something they would embrace,” she said.

But state Sen. John Courson, R-Richland, cautions that “those who underestimate Bauer’s political skills will end up on the losing side.”