American Notes CANDIDATES

The presidential candidate is confronted with charges of misbehavior. Nervously he denies the allegations. A rival campaign leaks a videotape. The candidate confesses publicly to his crime: sneaking 14 items through a ten- item supermarket check-out line.

Of all the White House hopefuls, only the earnest and relatively unknown Bruce Babbitt agreed to appear on Saturday Night Live, in a skit poking fun at & the character issue that is dominating the Democratic race. "It's cathartic for all of us," said Babbitt, as he taped the segment last week in New York City. "People can say Democrats can laugh at their collective misadventures." Besides, Babbitt's TV star turn can only help: the former Arizona Governor is at the bottom of the polls and running short of funds.