While Hampton may attract a portion of the black vote that Rockefeller relies on so heavily, no one even mentions the possibility that the "WR," as he is known throughout the state, will not win the primary.

His campaign will begin when the Democrats have finished their little wars and it promises to be an extravagant, high-powered affair, financed out of his private fortune.

Faubus, if he wins, should be at no financial disadvantage, however; he will be able to call on his old supporters, who include the wealthiest businessmen in the state, to fill his campaign needs.

For Rockefeller, who said in his first campaign that he would not serve more than two terms, this will surely be his last race.

A mixture of pride, the pleasure of being governor, and perhaps a sense of duty have motivated him to try for a third term in office, but when he retires to his ranch in northern Arkansas, his unique position within the state-a blend of aristocrat, philanthropist, business leader, and politician-should allow him to exert his presence long after he is governor.

State Love

He came to the state in 1949, so the story goes, and "fell in love" with the country. He stayed, established business interests, took part in state government (ironically under the auspices of Faubus at first), and finally became governor, reviving the Republican party on the way.

Now he is preparing for what he believes, and publicly says he hopes, will be a face-to-face encounter with Faubus in the general election.

In one, sense, the election here is an endmtozian era of Arkansas politics. Faubus is 63, his hair is dyed, and he is slightly stooped over. He is as fiery and as eloquent as ever, and he is surely the most masterful campaigner of all' 13 candidates, but if he does not win this election, he will never again be a force in state politics.

Rockefeller is 56, but he is not a healthy man, overweight and shortwinded. He is not a good speaker and he will rely on his sophisticated computers, TV ads, and giant organization to win him votes in this final campaign.

In a state which voted for George Wallace, Sen. J. W. Fulbright, and Winthrop Rockefeller in the same year-1968-it is difficult to estimate just what the result will be, especially so early in the year.

But it will surely be amusing for the people here, for whom politics is still the favorite form of entertainment.