Lindsey Graham said Saturday morning that he's the type of United States senator who's not beyond taking a turn as a chauffeur if that's what it takes to get the job done.

"You're going to get a conservative Republican who will listen," said Graham, R-S.C. "If Hillary Clinton will come to the middle, I will get in a car and drive her over."

Graham, of course, was referring to his senate colleague from New York -- a potential 2008 Democratic Party presidential candidate -- who he worked closely with in recent years to secure health-care benefits for National Guard and Reserve members.

The line drew big laughs, but it also probably got across an important message about bipartisanship to the audience. Graham was addressing a room of more than 600 delegates at the 65th annual Municipal Association of South Carolina conference.

During his speech in the ballroom at the Marriott Beach and Golf Resort, South Carolina's senior senator stressed his commitment to local government and gave an update on federal legislation.

Graham shared his enthusiasm for the federal highways bill passed Friday, one which he said will allot $3 billion to expand highways in South Carolina. A chunk of that money -- $16 million for widening U.S. 278 and $10 million for improvements to U.S. 17 -- will be spent on roads that serve Beaufort County.

He explained his position against the filibustering of federal judicial appointments, a matter in which he recently broke ranks with party hardliners to forge a compromise.

He also spoke of his three trips to Iraq and stressed the importance of praying for troops, regardless of a person's position on the war.

"Every time they kill someone running for office or in the military, a new person takes their place," he said. "These people are dying for freedom; they want to live like us."

While he deals with issues on a national stage, Graham said in an interview that he thinks it's important for him to keep in touch with the leaders of local government through presentations like the one he gave Saturday.

"A state is no stronger than its towns," he said. "It's a chance to stay connected to people and let them know that I've got it, in terms of what they need."

People who made public comments agreed that he was moving in the right direction to fulfill the needs of South Carolinians, as did others interviewed afterward.

"The senator is concerned about people across all lines," said E.W. Cromartie, a city council member in Columbia. "He's willing to work together for the good of all people."

Conference delegates across party lines particularly were impressed by Graham's relationship and work with Clinton. In addition to their efforts to gain health-care benefits for Guard and Reserve members, they also launched an 18-member caucus that works to hold on to U.S. manufacturing jobs.

But Graham said not everyone has been receptive to his bipartisan efforts to achieve his goals.

"For some people in politics, it's not good enough that you agree with them," he said after a self-labeled "staunch Republican" commended him for working across party lines. "You have to hate everyone that they hate.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I'm not going to hate any American in this field."

Graham also stressed the importance of adequate road, water and sewer service in the state, and he said providing the infrastructure that is vital to economic growth is costly.

"I don't like raising taxes," he said. "But we don't have enough money to do all the things we need to do."