Washington So which of your children do you love best?

Perhaps the question that confronts S.C. Democrats is not as impossible to answer, but many are fretting over the choice between the two prominent party members running for U.S. Senate in 2004.

There's Bob Coble, mayor of Columbia for the past 13 years. And there's state Superintendent of Education Inez Tenenbaum, the proven statewide vote-getter.

Each wants to succeed U.S. Sen. Fritz Hollings, D-S.C., who has decided not to seek a seventh full term.

What's a Democratic leader to do in next June's primary?

"Shut up and vote" is one possibility.

U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn is one who might opt against a primary endorsement.

"I haven't made up my mind, but I might stay out of it," says Clyburn, D-S.C., who describes both Tenenbaum and Coble as friends. "I want to avoid anything that doesn't build the party."

Clyburn believes other well-known Democrats might make the same nondecision.

ROAD TRIP

One-fourth of South Carolina's congressional delegation is traveling in the Middle East.

U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., left for Israel Sunday for an eight-day tour of the country. U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., is in the middle of a 10-day tour of seven countries, including Iraq -- where he was the day the United Nations' headquarters in Baghdad was bombed.

While Graham's travels are hosted by the State Department, Wilson's trip is sponsored by the American Israel Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization that aims to educate politicians and others on the U.S.-Israel relationship.

The trip, for Republican House members, was organized by U.S. Reps. Eric Cantor, R-Va., and Tom Reynolds, R-N.Y.

The House members will meet with, among others, Israeli government leaders, military leaders, members of the Knesset -- the Israeli Parliament -- U.S. government officials and Palestinian leaders.

NEW NO. 2

Earl F. Brown Jr. has taken the No. 2 job in Wilson's district office.

Brown, whose new title is deputy district director, formerly served as a special assistant to Wilson.

Brown is a former public school teacher and Army veteran who has also worked as an executive assistant at the state Human Affairs Commission.