GRAPEVINE

By DAVID ELLIS

Alabama Democratic Senator Howell Heflin was in no danger of losing his seat in last November's midterm elections, but that didn't stop him from recruiting colleagues to help his campaign. One of those who answered the call was Ohio | Democrat John Glenn. The former World War II hero and pioneer astronaut filmed a spot extolling Heflin's support for the space program, which brings millions of tax dollars to Alabama. In spite of the seemingly innocent nature of the plug, the commercial never aired. Reason: Heflin's first order of business upon his return to Washington was chairing the Senate Ethics Committee investigation of the infamous Keating Five, which included the same John Glenn. A Heflin spokesman says the ad "just didn't fit in" with campaign plans, but wiser heads had advised the Alabaman's office about the impropriety of using Glenn -- who eventually received a mere slap on the wrist -- as a character witness.

With reporting by Sidney Urquhart