CHARLESTON, S.C. - Like his Democratic challenger for the Senate, U.S. Rep. Jim DeMint doesn't plan to stay for all of his party's national convention.

DeMint will be in New York for the opening of the Republican convention Monday, giving a speech at a time to be determined.

He'll then go to some receptions, including one held in his honor by U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., on Tuesday night.

DeMint plans on being back in South Carolina by early Wednesday morning so he can celebrate his wedding anniversary.

DeMint and other Republicans criticized opponent Inez Tenenbaum, saying the education superintendent only spent a few hours at the Democratic convention because she wanted to distance herself from her party and its presidential nominee John Kerry.

DeMint spokeswoman Kara Borie said his situation is different because DeMint is proud of his party and President Bush.

"She's been very clearly shying away from Sen. Kerry," Borie said. "We have made it very clear we support President Bush in his effort for re-election."

Tenenbaum's campaign said she skipped most of the convention because she wanted to spend more time meeting voters in South Carolina.

Tenenbaum spokeswoman Kay Packett said she is glad to see DeMint following his opponent's lead.

"We can hope he's finally figured out that South Carolina is more important than Washington, D.C.," Packett said. "Inez apparently set a good example for him."

Tenenbaum and DeMint are running for the U.S. Senate seat left open by the retirement of U.S. Sen. Ernest "Fritz" Hollings.

Graham and other prominent South Carolina Republicans plan to stay in New York all week.

The only exception could be Gov. Mark Sanford. He also plans to stay for the whole convention, but his office said he will return to South Carolina early if Hurricane Frances threatens the coast.

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Information from: The Post and Courier, http://www.charleston.net/