JUDY WOODRUFF, CNN ANCHOR: Mexico's presidential election is less than two weeks away. Because of the changing face of Mexican elections, both candidates are trying to attract new voters. CNN's Mexico City bureau chief Harris Whitbeck reports.</s>HARRIS WHITBECK, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): At a political rally staged outside of Mexico City, the official presidential candidate tells representatives of Mexico's 60,000 Indian groups if he wins the election, they will have more jobs and better education. His principal opponent tells the same thing to poor peasants in another part of the country. And the candidate who is running in third place has traditionally sought the support of marginalized sectors of Mexican society. In this presidential election, the candidates are looking for support from those who traditionally aren't given much influence. "If there were a statistical tie in this election and the official party beat the opposition, PAN, it could be argued that if the PAN had tried to increase its influence among Indians it could have won." A hypothetical case that explains the candidates' strategy of reaching out to minorities. Some analysts say minorities could well influence the outcome of the tightest presidential race in Mexican political history. "The candidates have discovered the value of being identified with some minorities who have been belligerent in demanding their rights," said the analyst. One of the most belligerent groups has been the gay community. Its annual pride parade was decidedly political in tone. At least two minor candidates publicly pleaded for their support. (on camera): Women are considered the wildcard. They are the largest voting group but they are under-represented in government. They are being wooed by everyone. Harris Whitbeck, CNN, Mexico City.
Candidates in Mexican Presidential Elections Making Appeals to Traditionally Ignored Groups