BY EFFORTS TO WIN VOTES. THE HEAD OF KROGER IN THE HOT SEAT ANSWERING TOUGH QUESTIONS IN COURT ABOUT THE COMPANY'S PLANNED MERGER WITH RIVAL ALBERTSONS. CEO RODNEY MCMULLEN TESTIFIED DURING A FEDERAL COURT HEARING IN OREGON ON TUESDAY. OR YESTERDAY, RATHER, AS THE GOVERNMENT TRIES TO BLOCK THE NEARLY $25 BILLION DEAL. MCMULLEN SAYS SHOPPERS WOULD SEE LOWER PRICES AFTER THE CHAIN'S MERGER. HE WOULD NOT RULE OUT STORE CLOSINGS, BUT SAYS THERE ARE NO IMMEDIATE PLANS. A A KROGER ATTORNEY SAYS THE MERGER WILL NOT HAPPEN IF THE COURT GRANTS THE