  urlLink HoustonChronicle.com - New Mexico, Hispanic votes may shape election : "LAS VEGAS, N.M. -  As John Kerry's campaign train rolls through New Mexico this weekend, the photogenic whistle-stops in remote corners of the state may seem a lot of effort for little political return. But there are no returns too small among the swing states in this tight election. The Land of Enchantment, with its five Electoral College votes and its coveted Hispanic voters, is looking positively super-sized. After years of being ignored in national political contests, New Mexico finds itself crawling with voter registration groups and inundated with political advertising aimed squarely at the 42 percent Hispanic population.
'It feels like it's about time,' groused San Miguel County Democratic Chairman Martin Suazo. He was enthusiastic about Saturday's Kerry-Edwards whistle-stop in Las Vegas, but hardly naive about why his small town of 14,000 rates a stop on the campaign trail. 'It's the Latino vote. It's what's in. '" 
