If we take that as representative of the voters' wishes, then at least 173,620 Alabama Democrats were not voting for Kennedy on Election Day.

Mr. Heflin, an Alabama Democrat, was chairman of the Ethics Committee's inquiry.

Alabama Democrats were offered a preview of the coming struggle between the two men at the party's Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner here on Friday night.

"It depends," the Alabama Democrat said, "on the eye of the beholder."

Senator Richard C. Shelby, an Alabama Democrat, sat as the temporary presiding officer and appeared to be working on his daily schedule.

Senator Howell Heflin, an Alabama Democrat considered vulnerable by some Republicans early on, was also returned to Washington.

The only panel member who did not was Representative Glen Browder, an Alabama Democrat who is retiring.

Alabama Democrats have adopted the campaign, holding the Blue Dot Ball as a fund-raiser in September.

The Alabama Democrat said he was particularly concerned about anything that would threaten civil rights progress in the South.

Like many Alabama Democrats, he opposes abortion and gun control.