Will the Buckeye State Be the Bellwether?

— -- Ohio will be center stage this election, proving to be a tough battleground who's results could tip the scales of momentum in favor of one candidate. Polls show that Obama and McCain are neck in neck in the Buckeye State. Ohio has historically been a bellwether for the presidential elections, with many analysts believing it is a microcosm for the rest of the country.

For the past eleven elections, no candidate has won the White House without winning Ohio first. And no Republican in history has ever won the White House without winning in Ohio.

In the March Democratic primary Hillary Clinton emerged victorious over Obama and John McCain easily beat out Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee who then conceded from the race.

In 2004, Ohio was ground zero in the race between President Bush and Sen. John Kerry. Turnout increased 20 percent in 2004 and Bush ultimately eked it out with 51 percent of the votes.

The southwestern corner of the state is the area to watch analysts say with new Democratic voters who are upper middle class, more educated and new to the state.